CAN tells Buhari to suspend controversial CAMA 2020

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to issue directives to suspend implementation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.

Rev. Samson Ayokunle, CAN President, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Recall that the National Assembly passed the CAMA bill earlier this year and the president signed it into law on Aug. 7.

Ayokunle said that comments in public domain were beginning to indicate that the Act was capable of further undermining the faith of stakeholders in the Nigerian state.

The CAN president, represented by, Rev. William Okoye, General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission (ACFM), said that the association had not been availed with the authentic version of the Act.

“We consider the Act a complex of statecraft compendium, laden with issues inimical to peace and stability and overall wellbeing of the country.

“From the reactions of stakeholders and a cross-section of the people it is apparent the Act either did not receive input from various interest groups or failed to accommodate their views.

“There is need for stakeholders to seek judicial intervention or amendment of the Act.

“We must allay stakeholders’ fears and encourage them to exercise their democratic rights, hoping that when citizens approach the state institutions they shall rise up to the challenge,” he said.

The CAN president urged Buhari to issue the appropriate directives to suspend the implementation of the Act based on stakeholders’ opinions and affirm a thorough reappraisal of the legislation.

He said the directive should be in correlation with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), other extant legal and policy frameworks, the national economy, national security, national interest and the wellbeing of the people.

Source: News Agency Of Nigeria

CAN: CAMA 2020 is satanic and ungodly

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has described the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) as “satanic”, “ungodly” and a “time-bomb waiting to explode”, saying it rejects government control of churches and worship centers.

The body also said the CAMA 2020 will “snuff life out of the church and rank the church as a secular institution under secular control.”

Newsmen report that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Companies and Allied Matters Bill 2020 into law on August 7, 2020, after the National Assembly successfully amended the 1990 law

CAN President, Reverend Samson Ayokunle in a statement Thursday said, “The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria rejects outrightly the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 that was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.

“The law, to say the least, is unacceptable, ungodly, reprehensible, and an ill-wind that blows no one any good. It is a time bomb waiting to explode.

“While we are not against the government fighting corruption wherever it may be found, yet we completely reject the idea of bringing the church, which is technically grouped among the NGOs, under control of the government.

“The Church cannot be controlled by the government because of its spiritual responsibilities and obligations.”

“How can the government sack the trustee of a church which it contributed no dime to establish?

“How can a secular and political minister be the final authority on the affairs and management of another institution which is not political?

“How can a non-Christian head of government ministry be the one to determine the running of the church? It is an invitation to trouble that the government does not have power to manage.”

Can therefore advised the federal government to “face the business of providing infrastructure for the people. Let them focus on better health provision, food, education, adequate security employment, etc.

“The government should not be a busy body in a matter that does not belong to it. The government does not have the technical expertise to run the church of God because of its spiritual nature.

“If the government is bent on imposing a law on us which the entire Church in Nigeria is against, then, they have declared war on Christianity and the agenda to destroy the Church which we have spoken against before now is coming to the open more clearly.

“If you cannot give us good amenities of life, we would not allow you to take away our liberty to worship our Maker.”

The body counseled the president to “stop the implementation of the obnoxious and ungodly law until the religious institutions are exempted from it” and “return the law to the National Assembly for immediate amendment.”

Source: Today.ng

President’s aide cautions Oyedepo on CAMA

A personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, on Monday replied the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (a.k.a Winners Chapel), David Oyedepo, for criticizing the Company and Allied Matters Acts (CAMA).

The Federal Government seeks to regulate financial activities of local churches through CAMA.

The cleric was reported to have rejected the terms of the CAMA, which proposes to appoint Trustees on the management of churches, saying it would be a direct assault on God by the nation.

Oyedepo spoke during the Sunday service in his sprawling church auditorium, Ota, Ogun State.

He was quoted as saying: “The church is God’s heritage on earth. Molest the wife of somebody and you will see the anger of that person. The church is the bride of Christ. You know how a strong man is when you tamper with his wife. The church is the body of Christ. We are under obligation to give warnings to wicked rulers so we could be free from their blood.

“The church works on the pattern delivered by God not the pattern of man. Government has no power to appoint people over churches. This is a secular nation. The church is the greatest asset of God in this country. Please be warned. Judgment is coming.

“The Lord says I have been still but now I will arise. Anybody that is in this deal is taking poison. This will never work. I am waiting for a day when anybody will appoint a trustee over this church…”