Waku warns Oritsejafor: Stop damaging our image abroad

National Vice Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Senator Joseph Waku, has called on Christians to admonish the National leader of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor to stop making ‘reckless statements that can further divide the country along ethnic and religious lines.’

 

Waku said this in response to the comments reportedly made by Oritsejafor before the US Congress Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, chaired by Christopher Smith recently.

 

The ACF leader reminded Oritsejafor to see himself as a worthy ambassador, who should represent Nigeria well wherever he finds himself, rather than making comments capable of heating up the polity and damaging the nation’s image abroad.

 

Waku said: “Some of us who are equally Christians need to caution Pastor Oritsejafor to stop hiding under his leadership of CAN to make reckless statements that can further divide the country along ethnic and religious lines as well as damage our image abroad.

 

“It is because Oritsejafor had been allowed to make these reckless statements at home unchecked, that he is now so emboldened to take his personal agenda and campaign of calumny to the international arena.

 

“That Oritsejafor could go before a US Congress committee to make a case against Nigerian government’s position on the Boko Haram debacle is unfortunate and condemnable.

 

“This is because the ultimate consequence of his action will not only affect a section of the country, but the entire nation, its economy and the free movement of its citizens across countries of the world.”

 

While urging the cleric to apply caution in commenting on sensitive national issues, Waku noted that, “some of us in the Christian fold will help him by replying him before he succeeds in creating a different impression about Christianity to other religions.”