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“We Stand With Plateau in Prayer and Hope,” says CAN president ahead of NEC meeting
Delegates of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have arrived in Plateau State ahead of the National Executive Council meeting scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
The delegation was received at the Yakubu Gowon Airport by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Governance, Hon. Istifanus Mwansat, who represented the Secretary to the State Government, Arc. Samuel Jatau, on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang. He was accompanied by the Plateau CAN Chairman, Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk; the Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Rev. Dr. Stephen Dang Gana; and other senior government officials.
CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Oko, who arrived earlier expressed gratitude to the state for the warm reception and emphasized the significance of hosting the final quarterly CAN Executive Council meeting of the year in Jos.
“We are here to stand with Plateau in prayer and hope. This meeting allows us to connect with Christians at the grassroots and to pray for lasting peace and progress in this state,” he said.
“We postponed this meeting earlier due to the loss of the CAN chairman, but we are now here to pray with the people, encourage them, and reaffirm our solidarity.”
Earlier, the Vice President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, said Plateau was chosen because of its long-standing Christian heritage and its reputation as a hospitable city.
He added that the delegation’s presence was a spiritual and symbolic gesture towards peacebuilding in the state.
“Jos remains a welcoming city to people from across the country. We believe our coming will add to the legacy of peace Plateau is known for,” he stated.
Delegates Taken on Tour of the Ten Commandments Crusade Ground
As part of the visit, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Governance, Mr. Yilchap Ibrahim, led the team on a tour of the Ten Commandments crusade ground.
He explained that the project, originally envisioned by former Governor Jonah Jang, has been expanded significantly to accommodate larger worship gatherings.
He noted that seating capacity had increased to nearly 8,000, with additional platforms for ministers, VIPs, and national Christian leaders expected to attend the upcoming Plateau Unity Christmas Festival.
Plateau CAN Chairman: “This Visit Is a Prophetic Blessing”
Welcoming the national delegation, Plateau CAN Chairman Rev. Dr. Dunka Gomwalk said the timing of the visit was divinely orchestrated.
“This meeting is prophetically and strategically timed by God to bring a blessing upon Plateau,” he said.
“We have faced many security challenges, but the presence of the national executive council here is a sign of hope and stability.”
Advisory Council on Inter-Religious Harmony Welcomes CAN
The delegation also met with the Plateau State Advisory Council on Inter-Religious Harmony, who expressed delight over CAN’s visit.
Co-chair of the council, Rev. Pandam Yamsat, urged CAN leaders to remain firm in promoting unity in Nigeria.
“Plateau is a home of peace despite challenges. Take the bull by the horn and continue to stand for fairness and unity in this country,” he told the visitors.
Representing the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Mohammed Sambo Haruna, a JNI official welcomed CAN warmly, describing Christians and Muslims as members of the same family under God.
Another council member, Dr. Sumia Hamza, applauded CAN for choosing Plateau, noting that interfaith unity must be showcased to counter negative narratives.
“This picture of Christians and Muslims sitting together should go out to the world. Plateau is peaceful, and we must change the wrong perceptions,” she said.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.
Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.
Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.
He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.
Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."
Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."
Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.
2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas
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