The Christian Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter on Friday declined the state government’s invitation for CAN to conduct the ceremonial service for 2013 Independence anniversary.
The Christian body also directed all Christian intending pilgrims to Jerusalem this year to reject any offer of sponsorship from the state government.
The state CAN Chairman, Dr. James Folaranmi, on Friday told journalists in Ilorin that the organisation took the decisions during its emergency meeting on Friday in Ilorin.
He said its members should instead gather at the United Missionary Theological Church along Offa Garage Area, Ilorin by 5pm on Sunday for “a special prayer for the nation.”
Folaranmi said, “We received a few days ago a letter from the government seeking for our organisation of this year service for the nation’s independence anniversary.
“But we have asked the concerned authorities that can two persons walk or work together except they had first agreed?
“In view of our position and the governor’s own, we are not in tandem and we can’t be hypocritically organising any service ordered by the government that is denying our existence in the state.
“Because we love our father land, all Christian faithful have been asked to gather at the UMTC on Sunday evening to pray for the peace and progress of our country.
“Besides, no Christian in the state should accept any Jerusalem sponsorship from the government. These are the decisions reached on Friday at the end of our emergency meeting.”
CAN had complained of marginalisation in appointments, political positions and promotions.
It had claimed that out of about 147 political positions in the state, less than 30 are Christians.
But the Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed denied any maginalisation of Christians.
He also claimed that appointments into political offices and other positions in the state were purely on merit and geographical balancing.
He said considerations for appointments ‘had never and will never be on religion.’

Very funny, what I got from this is CAN is shunning the State's function of Independence day to send a message of its dissaproval of Kwara State Govt. So CAN's absense in a prayer session is supposed to hurt the affairs of Kwara govt Whats the point?

What is CAN turning into? If u hav 29 out of 147 political offices in kwara State, boycotting state function will only worsen things for them in the state considering the fact that this state is heavily populated by Muslims and unfortunately the ratio of muslim:xtain is arnd 10:3 which means even if the xtains boycott election in the State it wldnt change anything. Please CAN shd stop this religion politics and not bring. Violence to the state.

Glad Christians in Kwara are knowing what time it is now. A step in the right direction. I hope they keep up with the pressure. You only get what you take these days.

Poster above talking about 10:3 ratio of Muslim to Christian in the state cracks me up. Where did you get that stat from dawg? Your name should be Pinocchio bruh.

Ha hahahahaahahah selfish pastors...dey want political appointment so dat dey can buy private jet lyk dere colleagues

Since when has political appointments got to do with religion? C.A.N has missed its calling.