National Conference: It Is Now Or Never – Oritsejafor

National Conference: It Is Now Or Never – Oritsejafor



The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government’s proposed National Dialogue.

The body has inaugurated a six-member committee that will draft a document to be presented at the conference.

The Association further called on all Nigerians to support the dialogue, stressing that there should not be limitation regarding issues to be discussed.

Members of the committee include; Prof. Emele Uka (chairman); Mrs. Kate Okparake; Apostle Etimbule Sunday; Elder John Achimugu; Chief Chukwuma Igwe; and Elder Albert Uko (Secretary).
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, while inaugurating the committee on Monday night in Abuja expressed CAN’s support for the confab.

According to him, there is no better time for the country to have a dialogue than now, adding that, “Today, for me and for CAN, is historic and important because we are taking an important step in the right direction.”
He flayed those against the proposed dialogue by wondering why any Nigerian would kick against an agenda that would address the nation’s several woes.

Oritsejafor said, “Nigeria has come of age, President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a bold step that will address all the issues about Nigeria. As CAN President, I want to congratulate the President for taking this step. We are prepared and set for it. So, we are setting up a special committee that will draft the presentation we will make at the conference.”

While blaming the opponent of the proposed national conference, the CAN President said, “Sometimes, I get troubled about the way some people reason. A man has taken a bold step. So many people have been calling for a national conference. Suddenly, some people are saying the timing is wrong.

“I remember some people then said that the President should dialogue with Boko Haram. We said no, but he went ahead and negotiated with criminals. Where we are now is very critical. We need to sit down and talk. Let everyone bring the card to the table.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to sit down and talk. The positive side outweighs the negative side.”
The CAN President also criticised those saying that certain things should not be discussed during the dialogue. He said that “everything should be brought to the table.”

“To be honest with you, I don’t know what people mean by ‘no go area’. A dialogue is a dialogue. I really don’t understand. If we are going to sit down to talk, then we should do that. We should be free to discuss,” he stressed.