From Msuur Akase, Makurdi
The acting Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, Reverend Jonathan Ugbede, has denied speculations circulating on social media that Governor Hyacinth Alia has concluded plans to demolish the CAN Secretariat in Makurdi.
Ugbede was reacting to the speculation in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Makurdi, equally dismissed the claim, insisting that the Governor has not contemplated destroying the secretariat.
He expressed joy that Governor Alia, through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, had already described the publication as malicious, false, baseless and completely detached from the truth.
The acting CAN Chairman collaborated the information Commissioner’s position which described Alia as a proud product of the Church,affirming that the Alia administration has consistently demonstrated respect, support and partnership with religious institutions across Benue, including CAN.
He also argued that the governor has no such plan, aligning CAN’s position with the one earlier canvassed by the information commissioner and insisted that the governor has never conceived, discussed or contemplated such action.
Ugbede instead expressed appreciation to Alia for his prompt response to the allegation, and urged the political class not to drag the Church into the murky arena of politics.
The acting CAN Chairman who affirmed that Alia has not only been sponsoring CAN activities but has continued to foot the medical bills of Christians and support other church interventions, expressed worry what will benefit the sponsors of such fake news and those spreading it, urging peddlers of fake news to desist from fabricating stories capable of creating tension in the state.
He also called on the Christian community in the state not to panic over the fake news but to disregard it, its sponsors and those spreading it, insisting that the fake news was fabricated to create disunity and generate bad blood between the Church and the Governor.
The acting Chairman urged Christians to intensify prayers for the Governor and remain supportive of his administration to enable him achieve more for the people of Benue.
He stated that the Benue Church was not affected by the fake news and is solidly behind the Governor, assuring him the church unshakable resolve to support his reelection.