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Alleges govt neglect, threats
CHAIRMAN, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State wing, Rev. Lawi Pokti, has lamented that since last year’s post-presidential election violence, no church building has been reconstructed across Alkaleri, Giade, Itas Gadau, Azare, Darazo and Misau local councils of the state.
According to him, Christians in these areas now worship under trees, having been threatened not to rebuild the church buildings or face more attacks.
Pokti stated this yesterday during a special thanksgiving service organised by Bauchi CAN to pray for the families of the slain and their killers.
The cleric alleged that both the Federal and the state governments had failed to come to the aid of the families of the deceased and that no compensation had been paid to the Christians towards rebuilding the ruined churches.
However, the cleric said: “What Christians are experiencing today is because of our sins. That is why security has failed, the citizens have failed and our hope is no longer in government but God the Creator”.
Pokti also urged all Nigerians to love one another.
The CAN chairman said Christians in the North were currently facing serious danger and needed prayers “to survive the persecution period. Christians are being frightened and they are dejected facing insecurity. The walls of our churches are broken down”.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service, Bauchi State Head of Service, Abdon Gin, stated that government deeply sympathised with those who lost their lives and had tried to reach out to their relations “in kind and in cash”.
He urged CAN to continue to pray for peace in Bauchi State, even as he assured that security agencies were doing their best to keep the peace in the state.
Gin urged Christians to pray for public office holders and one another, stressing that “without peace, nothing can be achieved”.
In his welcome address, Vice Chairman, CAN, Rev. Timothy Anieke, said many Christians were not concerned about the families of those who loss their loved ones to the post-election violence “because they are not affected directly”.
He argued that Christians were still suffering in the North because they voted for the candidate of their choice in the April 2011 presidential polls.
