The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has dismissed as false and misleading claims that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, was invited as “Royal Father of the Day” for the proposed foundation laying ceremony of an Ecumenical Chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In a statement issued on Saturday, CAN said it did not at any time extend such an invitation, describing the reports circulating in sections of the media and on social platforms as the “handiwork of mischief makers.”
The association clarified that the document fuelling the controversy did not emanate from it but from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stressing that it bears no responsibility for its content.
CAN warned that the narrative, beyond being inaccurate, appears deliberately framed to inflame religious sensitivities and stir avoidable tension at a time when national cohesion should be strengthened.
“At a time when national unity requires careful stewardship, such distortions are reckless and unacceptable,” Okoh stated.
Reiterating its dual commitment to upholding Christian values and fostering peaceful coexistence, the association maintained that both responsibilities remain central to its mandate and are not mutually exclusive.
The CAN President also urged the media and the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in handling sensitive issues, emphasising the need for verification before dissemination.
“Truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of sensationalism. We call on all stakeholders to verify before amplifying and prioritise facts over virality,” he said.
CAN insisted that any suggestion assigning a ceremonial role to the Sultan in the planned event is entirely unfounded and should be disregarded.
