The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has supported Governor Samuel Ortom’s call for social justice for all groups in the country.
The support came during a meeting of its National Executive Committee and General Assembly which held in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, on Thursday.
CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle, urged all patriotic Nigerians to speak out against what he described as persecutions and illegalities being meted out against Christians in the country.
He said “Benue State is among the most persecuted States in the last six years just as States with large population of Christians especially in the North have faced the most severe persecution ever seen in the history of Nigeria.
“It is disheartening and most disappointing for some leaders to come out boldly to support the gross injustice being perpetrated, what type of audacity in supporting evil and illegality are we witnessing today?”
He commended Governor Ortom for his courage in speaking out and urged other patriots to emulate him.
“You have never disappointed your people who chose you by taking sides against their interests, it is not when you die that matters but what you die for,” he stressed.
Speaking, Governor Samuel Ortom stated that he would not be intimidated to accept the injustice which he said was being meted out against the church and other vulnerable groups in the country.
READ ALSO: UN Recognises Reforms In Nigeria – Envoy
He said the recent letter he wrote to the President was a call for justice for various groups pointing out that unfortunately he has not received any response from the Presidency but rather reactions from those he described as thugs.
The Governor stated that history is being repeated as the conquest and occupation agenda of expansionists which was stopped at Ushongo Hills in Benue State 200 years ago will also suffer similar fate this time.
He wondered why a military operation on land, air and water would be ordered against those fighting to protect the dignity of their people in the South-East while negotiations will be made with bandits and payment made to them with government money in the Northern part of the country.