Taraba re-run election crisis: YOWICAN pass vote of confidence on CAN.
By Chuwang Dungs
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Taraba North, on Sunday passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, led by Magaji Jirapye.
The youth wing were reacting to the crisis of interest that came up during the February 4th re-run election for the seat of Jalingo/Yorro and Zing federal constituency, Taraba state, with some groups passing a vote of no confidence in CAN.
The youth wing poured out their minds in a statement signed and issued by Zephania Yabung, the zonal Chairman in Jalingo the state capital.
“Our attention has been drawn to the World Press Conference by the concerned Mumuye Youths in collaboration with the Mumuye Youth Cultural Development Association
where they allegedly passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the umbrella Christian body in the state -The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter.
“In as much as CAN will not want to join issues with politically sponsored groups in order not to overheat the polity and widen gaps of division along ethnic and religious lines in our dear state, we the youth wing would like to clear the air and set the records straight. We, therefore, wish to respond as follows:
“The Mumuye Cultural Development Association as the body has both Christian and Muslim members and coming out to speak in the manner the group did is an indication that the Muslim members of the Mumuye Youth whom the withdrawal of CAN support to Jabayang favors do not matter.
“This is divisive and contrary to the teachings of Christ who preaches peace and love for one another irrespective of tribe or belief system.
“When CAN openly endorse Innocent Jabayang, after due consultations, where were the Mumuye Youths who are speaking today? The decision to withdraw the support was not just a CAN decision, but the candidate in question was in the know of the events leading to the withdrawal of the support.
“CAN will always protect the interest of Christians and the support for Sadiq Tafida of the PDP is still in the interest of Christians in the long run.
“The Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency is not only made up of Mumuye people. We want to call on the Mumuye Youth to be conscious of the fact that playing tribal and religious politics at this critical time, will be a dangerous precedent that will be difficult to curtail in the days ahead. We expect the Youth Wing of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association to look beyond this bye-election and play politics that will be beneficial to all in the constituency.
“YOWICAN Northern Zone commends Agbu Kefas for his excellent leadership style in the state and calls on all to support his all-inclusive government initiative to succeed.
“We want the world to know that the Youth Wing of CAN Taraba State Chapter has total trust and confidence in the leadership of CAN Taraba, and we call on our parent body to forgive the Mumuye youths for they do not know what they are doing.” The statement reads.
Recall at the eve of the election CAN endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the alleged withdrawal of Innocent Jabayang, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
However Jabayang participated in the election which was declared inconclusive by INEC, claiming he never at any point withdrew from the race and his action generated a lot of controversies.
The supplementary election has been slated for February 14th
