We Were Not Consulted

OpenLife News reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, has slammed Governor Peter Mbah over the unauthorised inclusion of its leaders in the APC Campaign Council list for the 2027 general elections, saying they were never consulted.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, has berated Governor Peter Mbah and distanced itself from the purported APC campaign council list released by the Enugu State Government.

The list, which included the name of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and Chairman of CAN in the state, His Lordship, the Most Reverend Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, alongside other CAN leaders, has been circulating on social media, sparking heated debates across Enugu.

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But in a strongly worded disclaimer, CAN said its leaders were smuggled into the partisan list without approval, consultation or consent.

CAN Enugu: We Did Not Authorise Inclusion In APC Campaign Council

The disclaimer titled, ”Unauthorised inclusion of some leaders and clergy of Christian Association of Nigeria, Enugu State, in the APC State campaign council list” read in part:

“The attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State Chapter, has been drawn to a campaign council list that has been circulating on social media, purportedly identifying His Lordship Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and state Chairman of CAN, and some CAN Enugu officials, alongside other Christian religious leaders, as members of the Enugu State APC Campaign Council.

“For the avoidance of doubt, CAN Enugu wishes to state categorically that neither the Association nor any of the named religious leaders were consulted before the publication of the said list. CAN Enugu did not authorise, endorse, or consent to the inclusion of its leadership in the campaign council.”

The association stressed that the publication must not be construed as an indication of its political affiliation or endorsement of any political party.

Church Belongs To Christ

The letter reiterated CAN’s commitment to Christian unity and values, warning against dragging the Church into partisan politics.

“It is therefore inappropriate for the names of Christian leaders to be presented as members of a partisan political campaign structure without their prior knowledge, consultation, and consent.

“Any attempt to associate them with a particular political party risks creating unnecessary division within the Church and undermining the unity and impartiality expected of religious leadership,” the disclaimer continued.

CAN Enugu said it completely dissociates itself from the publication and urged the public, especially Christians, to disregard any suggestion that its leaders endorsed or joined the APC campaign council.

“We call on the publishers and relevant authorities to acknowledge this clarification and take the necessary steps to correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication,” CAN added.

“The Church belongs to Christ and must remain a home for all, irrespective of political affiliation.”

Peter Mbah’s More Controversy

Governor Peter Mbah had earlier in the week inaugurated the APC Campaign Council in Enugu for the 2027 general elections.

The list included names of many retired army and police officers, including former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mbah.

Information from social circles in Enugu indicates that none of the retired senior officers consented to the inclusion of their names.

Frank Mbah was particularly rumoured to have reacted angrily to the list and vowed to take the matter up with the governor whenever he steps foot into the state.

The development has continued to generate controversy in Enugu State, with many questioning how the campaign council list was compiled and whether due consent was obtained from those named.

CAN, Questions & Answers

Q: What did CAN say about Peter Mbah’s campaign council list?
A: CAN Enugu said neither the association nor Bishop Ernest Obodo was consulted before inclusion in APC campaign council list and did not authorise it.

Q: Did CAN Enugu endorse Peter Mbah’s APC campaign council?
A: No. CAN said the publication should not be seen as endorsement of any political party and remains non-partisan.

Q: Who else disowned Peter Mbah’s campaign council list?
A: Apart from CAN leaders, retired senior officers including ex-DIG Frank Mbah reportedly disowned the list and said they did not consent.