The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), seems to have confused on what it wants in the current political dispensation as the nation prepares for the 2023 elections, especially for the Presidency.

In one breath, CAN insisted that its members will not  support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general poll if he finally settles for Muslim-Muslim ticket. In another breath, the same CAN said that it would not mind the religious combination of the leaders at the helm of the nation’s affairs, so long they provide good leadership, and yet in another, the Association said it would listen to Tinubu on the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket if he seeks to meet its members.

The Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Elder Biodun Sanyaolu, in a statement, first condemned the possible Muslim-Muslim ticket in the ruling APC, saying that  CAN has made its position known that Muslim-Muslim ticket will not be supported, even Christian-Christian ticket either.

“It is not about Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket; it is the mistrust existing in us for the last seven years which have been so terrible even with Nigeria inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

Elder Biodun however said again: “all we are saying and want is the leader that will do well to everyone, irrespective of class, religion, sex, region, colour, among others.

“All we are craving for is a leader that will be fair to all Christians, Muslims and even Traditionalists. Poverty doesn’t know religion.

“If there is a bomb blast it will kill whoever on its way not minding religion. We want good leadership that will be fair to all and good governance in Nigeria.”

Speaking on whether the association will listen to APC Presidential candidate when campaign starts, Biodun said: “if he comes, we will welcome him and take a look at what they have for Nigerians and the public.”

This was even as Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Ramon, said that his boss had not made any pronouncement on his running mate.

“Why don’t you wait for him (Tinubu) to announce his plans? What if he opts for Muslim-Christian ticket in the end?

“He is a God fearing man and detribalised Nigerian, he will be fair to all, there is no cause for the alarm.”

The Nigerian Army has protested vehemently against what it called “wild and unsubstantiated allegations” in a video that has gone viral, by Femi Fani-Kayode against it, regarding the recent spate of terrorist attacks particularly, the attack of the prison in Kuje – Abuja on 5 July 2022.

The Defence Headquarters, in a statement today, July 9, by its Director of Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, described Fani-Kayode as “a known Rabble-Rouser.”

“Ordinarily, the video and its maker, would have been ignored, considering the antecedents of the person behind it as a known Rabble-Rouser. However, in the interest of members of the public who might be misled by the deliberate falsehood and the sensibilities of service personnel and their families who have been paying dearly to keep Nigerians safe, it has become urgent to respond to the video currently circulating in the social media.”

General Akpor recounted the allegations made by Femi Fani-Kayode, including the claim that the Department of State Security (DSS) informed the military about the impending attack on Kuje Custodial Centre and even the previous attack on the Kaduna –  Abuja rail service.

He said that Fani-Kayode also claimed that soldiers were withdrawn shortly before the prison attack.

“In all these allegations, Mr Kayode is merely playing to the gallery. He is not in any position to know whether the DSS notified the military of any attack or not. It may not be impossible that such a claim is part of a calculated attempt to cause division and rivalry amongst all Government Agencies that have been working collaboratively in addressing issues of insecurity in the country.

“The claim that soldiers were withdrawn from the Kuje Correctional Custodial Centre before the attack is laughable. It is sad that Mr Kayode is ignorant of whose responsibility it to guard prison.

“Mr Femi Kayode further claimed that the military took no action on the recent Shiroro terrorists’ attack, which resulted in the unfortunate death of some soldiers, some policemen and members of the public. This is also an attempt to smear the military and create bad blood between service personnel and the military high command.

“A despicable statement that dishonours the sacrifices of the gallant officers and soldiers that paid the supreme price whilst responding in defence of the civilians and the mining community. What a shame! Mr Kayode is encouraged to pay more attention to the weekly briefs by Defence Media Operations. Defence Media Operations gives weekly briefs/updates on operations  being conducted across the country; press releases on military operations are also made when the need arises.

“Mr Fani-Kayode is also called to refresh himself on the constitutional roles of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. In all, subordination to civil authority is key. It is pertinent to state that, the Nigerian Armed Forces has toiled to sustain and nurture our democracy, hence the same military cannot contemplate a coup de tat, as alluded to by Mr Kayode in his video. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor has always stressed the unalloyed loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the President, Commander-in-Chief and the Nigerian Constitution.

“Accordingly, as the 2023 General Elections approach, desperate persons must depart from their evil ways, for never again would they lure the military into their wicked machinations. If a confession must be made, Nigerians must know now: the military is always the worse victim of military rule.

“Finally, in a miserable attempt to malign the leadership of the military, Mr Kayode gave the impression that, while junior military commanders and non-commissioned officers are working hard, senior commanders are doing nothing. This is sheer ignorance and nothing more. Mr Kayode is completely oblivious of the fact that in the military, orders, instructions and directives are issued from the hierarchy to the lower rungs of command. Therefore, junior commanders cannot be working hard while their superiors are idle.

“This is indeed a difficult time for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole. It is not time for attention-seeking individuals to cause needless distractions. Members of the public are therefore urged to ignore Mr Femi Fani-Kayode and continue to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement agencies.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the youths in the country, especially students in universities and other tertiary institutions, to prepare themselves for the period when government jobs would no longer be available to absolve them.

“We are reaching a time where you don’t have to get education and start looking for government jobs. What happens when government job is not there?”

President Buhari, who received members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Daura, Katsina State, at his country home, today, July 9, asked the youths to get educated and equip themselves for bigger opportunities, provided by technology.

He told the youth Corps to keep expanding their views on life and opportunities, and avoid the limitations of culture, ethnicity and religion.

He asked them to explore technology to network, even beyond borders, and to ensure personal development and a more competitive means of livelihood.

He further advised the youths to look beyond culture, ethnicity and religion in relating with one another, even as he asked them to engage in more travels, mingling, tolerance and negotiations to appreciate the rich diversity of the country.

According to Buhari, regular interface and broader vision of Nigeria as a whole will improve relationships, especially among the youths.

The President commended the former Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon for establishing NYSC, saying: “every time I meet former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, I always thank him for the NYSC, which helps people to move all over Nigeria.

“Before the NYSC, there were people who had never moved out of their locality.”

The President said that the scheme broadened the horizon for many over the years, and reduced the tensions and misunderstandings that exist between strangers.

“When I joined the army, I was posted to Abeokuta and then Lagos. And I have travelled all over Nigeria.”

Speaking, the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO), Douglas Damina, thanked the President for encouraging sustenance of the NYSC, and promoting youth inclusiveness and empowerment.

“Mr. President, we pray that the Almighty God will accept your prayers and remember your sacrifices for the nation.”

Damina told the President that the Corps members had achieved a lot in community development, renovating three motor boreholes, training 350 youths in various skills, and encouraging proper hygiene, especially among women.

President Buhari later donated two bulls, ten rams and the sum of N1,000,000  to the corps members  for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.