Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, among others, will on Monday and Tuesday meet in the nation’s capital to deliberate on best ways to ensure a successful conduct of the election.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja made this known in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, the diocese’s Director of Communications, in Abuja.Sultan Onaiyekan religious religion

The statement said President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to declare the conference open.

Expected to attend are state governors, national and state legislators, the judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, academics and leaders of thought, civil society, media, as well as critical stakeholders.

Others include Dr William Vendley, Secretary-General, World Council of Religious Leaders, Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, Grand Mufti of Uganda and co-chair, African Council for Religious Leaders and other religious leaders across Africa.

The statement added that the conference, with the theme “Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for Responsible Politics,” would hold a symposium on religious extremism in Nigeria.

Similarly, a statement issued by the Sultan in Kaduna, said the event was aimed at ensuring credible and peaceful electioneering process in 2015.

“The conversation that it will generate is considered apt for setting the mood of the nation as we step into the threshold of another electioneering campaign.
“His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and I, as well as other members of the Interfaith Initiative for Peace, will be happy leading the conversation towards a better Nigeria,” the monarch wrote.

A communiqué is expected at the end of the conference, while a workable resolution will be adopted towards peaceful electioneering period ahead of the 2015 general elections.

However, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, DailyPost gathered was not officially invited to the conference.

Under normal circumstance, the Warri-based preacher by virtue of his position as the official head of Christians in the country, should participate.

Speaking to DailyPost Monday morning, a media practictioner operating from Abuja, lamented the non-invitation of Oritsejafor.

“Can you see how they are mixing religion and politics,” the source who did not want his name revealed, asked rhetoretically.

“Why would such gathering of respected religious leaders and prominent persons, meet and not invite the president of CAN? Is he not a stakeholder? It’s just unfortunate. I was discussing this matter with some of my colleagues before you called.”

Asked why Cardinal Onaiyekan did not insist that the body extends invitation to Oritsejafor, the source replied: “You see, Cardinal Onaiyekan is one of the biggest problems Christians in the North have. He gives us away cheaply to our Muslim friends.”

“The Muslim North see him as a soft man, so they rather have him attend any meeting than the president of CAN, who speaks his mind regardless of how revered the indvudual is.”

“I believe they left him out because he (Oritsejafor) might disagree with them on some of the agenda. But this is not the right thing to do.”

In a chat with DailyPost, a functionary in the office of CAN General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, said he was not aware of the conference.

“Where and when is this event holding please?” he quipped.

After our reporter answered, “In Abuja sir,” he said: “Well, I don’t think CAN President was invited, perhaps because it is an initiatve of the Catholics.”

When informed that a number of key stakeholders from within and outside the country were invited for the discourse, the official responded: “I am sure the (CAN) president would attend if he got an invite.”

- See more at: http://247nigerianewsupdate.co/oritsejafor-snubbed-as-sultan-onaiyekan-others-meet-over-2015-elections

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religious and politics, what a country

CAN is the religious wing of PDP. This is not a political gathering so the nigga presido is not welcomed.
NB ... before you quote me and yarn trash am a Christian

Why should he be invited? Is it a PDP gathering?

At least they should have invited him even though he might refuse.

Why d snub? d shld hav invited him as d head of Christians in Nigeria. Any way d know dia plans.

Before you comment...

...first wait for his (Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor's) reaction to this!!!


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best comment so far

NgeneUkwenu: Why should he be invited? Is it a political gathering?

But other religious leaders were invited.

Hey

The Bling Bling pastor

Oritsejafor constant sectional comments have made the sit of CAN president so political that it seems to be loosing it respectability. He needs to water down is political biasness and talk more like and elder and a father to all. A close observation of Cardinal John Onaiyekan will be a nice start.

The man (Oritsejafor) has made enough already, its not easy to own a jet or a private university.

lol

lol

Look anybody can call for such a meeting, is no big deal.
Secondly, the communique is not going to be a bill, worse of all, is not going to be respected by Boko Haram even if adapted, so...

Yéy! Mo gbé!! First page!!! Me I don't care whether Oritsejafor was invited or not. I'm on front page and that's what matters. *in GEJ's voice* My fellow Nigerians, please let the likes start pouring in. *in PEJ's voice* they are shearing it already.

Expect anytin to happen in 9ja

moneybag100: .

Eldavido1: a

alaladakosta: H

See dem! lekwa ha #in phyno's voice

is obvious that this orisejafor is PDP sponsored religious bigot

The Catholic church has proved to be an instrument of peace and tolerance between the church and the Nigerian Muslim community and, should be commended for their peace efforts. As for Oritsejafor, he's nothing but a bootlicker !

Nigeria! a country where pastors & Imams are political gods father.

Bcus he is a bigot, he is only going to cause confusion by spewing rubbish

B

hazyfm: [size=18pt]PLS WHO IS Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor[/size]

An MOG that competes with Jarule, 50 cent, lil' Wayne and Davido for bling bling.

So much religion,yet no peace,God help Us!

Last man standing on front page. First of all I want to thank
God, then Seun, Mods and the person I chanced to get this position. Never give up on your dreams.

Back to topic: I think he should be invited, even though we know he easily gets political with his speeches. To avoid any more controversies.