CAN Sets Date To Declare New President

BY: Mohammed O. Taoheed

With Rev. Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), arriving at the end of his second tenure in office after serving for six years, a press issue has claimed on Tuesday that the new leadership of the Christian body would be announced this Thursday, July 28, 2022.

TrackNews Nigeria reports that the communique signed in Abuja yesterday contained the outline of activities and timetable for the Christian body’s 2022 General Assembly and leadership transition programme.

As signed by the Special Assistant to Rev Ayokunle on Media and Communication, Adebayo Oladeji, the statement explained that the new President of CAN will be announced at the end of the General Assembly on Thursday where his nomination is expected to be ratified.

BUT, the statement did not mention or provide any further details about the candidate for the highest office in CAN.

The transition timetable read thus: “The Christian Association of Nigeria has scheduled to hold the 2022 General Assembly from July 27 – 29, 2022 at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

“This event will mark the end of the tenure of His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle and some Members of the National Executives under his team and will usher in another administration.”

Handing-over ceremony ahead of the new leadership, the statement revealed that a seminar on the leadership tussle in the nation would be held on July 27, 2022, at the Jubilee Resorts, National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The statement noted that shortly afterwards, the send-off Service in honour of the outgoing CAN President will hold at the Church auditorium, National Christian Centre, Abuja, while the official handing-over ceremony will take place on Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Jubilee Hall, National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The outgoing President was said to have made known his gratitude for the support given to his administration by all stakeholders and prays for divine guidance and expansion.

TrackNews Nigeria learnt that Ayokunle, who, during his reign doubled as the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, was first elected the CAN President on June 15, 2016, taking over from Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

He was re-elected on June 19 2019 for the second term of three years after defeating his opponent, Dr Caleb Ahima, President of the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.