The office of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has debunked media reports that Most Reverend Daniel Okoh has emerged as President of the umbrella Christian body.
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Media Assistant to the CAN’s President, Reverend Dr Samson Ayokunle,
said in a statement on Wednesday that the process for the emergence of a new president for the foremost Christian body is ongoing.
He therefore said the letter being referred to in the media report was the one sent to members of the National Executive Council and the blocs’ leaders of the Association to complete the process for the emergence of a new CAN President.
He said that the constitution of CAN makes it mandatory for the National Executive Council and the General Assembly to ratify the nomination of the candidate before he emerges as President.
He said that the process for the emergence of a new CAN President is still ongoing and would be completed on Thursday.
According to the statement titled ‘RE: Okoh Emerges New CAN’s President:’ “The attention of the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to the story going the rounds that the Most Rev. Daniel Okoh has emerged the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“According to reports, the announcement is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the CAN’s General Secretary, Barrister Joseph Daramola. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
“For the record, Daramola is not the spokesman of the Association but the General Secretary.
“The letter being referred to was the Invitation Letter sent to the members of the National Executive Council and the blocs’ leaders of the Association to complete the process that will lead to the emergence of the new President.
“According to the CAN’s Constitution, Article 17 (9) viii-xi, the National Executive Council and the General Assembly must ratify the nomination of the candidate before the new President emerges.
“So, the process is still ongoing and it will be completed on Thursday. It is true that the Most Rev Okoh has emerged the candidate from the Electoral College but this must be ratified by the National Executive Council and the General Assembly.
Perhaps, it is imperative to state what the Constitution says about the remaining process:
“According to Article 17 (9) (viii), “The candidate who secures majority vote of the Electoral College for each office shall be recommended to the National Executive Council.”
Article 17 (9) ix states “The National Executive Council shall accept the recommended candidates for the offices of the President and the Vice President and present them to the General Assembly for ratification by the majority of votes of those qualified to vote at the General Assembly.”
Article 17 (9) x states, “In the event that any candidate fails to secure the majority vote of the General Assembly, the procedure in paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (8) herein shall be repeated by the Electoral College to reconsider the suitability or otherwise of all the candidates based upon the reasons adduced by those who opposed the candidature. The Electoral College may or may not substitute any candidate for any position based on majority vote of its members.”
Article 17 (9) xi states, “In the event of a deadlock in which case the candidate represented is rejected by the General Assembly, a combined meeting of the Electoral College and the President-in-Council of the Association will examine the issue(s) and make a final choice from all the nominated candidates for the office.”
CAN is scheduled to hold its General Assembly on July 28 which where the new President will be made known to the public.