CAN backs Ekiti Governor to become President in 2019

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has praised Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayoses brand of leadership and offered their full backing for his presidential ambition in the 2019 general elections.

This was disclosed in a letter signed by the religious body's National General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake and sent to the governor on October 16, 2017.

In the letter, Rev. Asake noted that Nigeria's problems can "only be solved by leaders who walk with God and you (Fayose) have always put your trust in God."

The body further praised the governor for his courage in declaring his presidential ambition despite the wave of discontent it has caused even within his own party.

Rev. Asake said the grace of God will be sufficient for a leader of Fayose's caliber to rebuild the country and make it great for everyone.

The letter read, "Unarguably, you have done what many of our politicians, Christians in particular, do not have the courage to do. This is why I agree with you, hook, line and sinker, when in your speech you said inter alia, "You are all witnesses to my commitment to this party in this difficult period, where I have demonstrated uncommon courage that makes me stand out as capable of leading our country at this time."

"Your Excellency sir, because you are known to doing great in your leadership and that you will move this country forward, the enemies of progress are not happy with your declaration and are not sleeping well.

"The devil will use many, even those who might be closer to you to try to create lies, false accusation, spread rumours, just to distract people from seeing the good leadership qualities that are in you.

"In times like this, if honest and courageous leaders like you are not careful, this can bring discouragement. Be assured that the Lord who has led you in your leadership as the Executive Governor of Ekiti State at this time, will never let you down.

"Your critics have the right to say whatever they want, that is to be expected anyway. No leader should expect applause from his critics.

"The leader that Nigeria really needs is the one that shuns the cosmetic approach because he knows it is superficial and the "quick fix it" approach because he knows it is temporary.

"The country needs a leader who has the courage to face problems honestly, the wisdom to understand them, the strength to do something about them and the faith to trust God to do the rest."

On September 28, Governor Fayose officially declared his intention to contest for the 2019 presidential election under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) despite the fact the the party has zoned the ticket to the northern region.

Chairman of the PDP's National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has responded the governor after his announcement, telling him that his presidential ambition is a waste of everyone's time as it doesn't align with the party's position.

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The party's National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye,and a Board of Trustee (BoT) member of party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, have also publicly criticised Fayose's actions as a violation of the party's agreement to zone the presidency to the north.