The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) yesterday berated the United States (US) Secretary of States, Mr. John Kerry over his visit to the country.
CAN alleged that the US was supporting ethnic and religious division in the country, describing the visit as “discriminatory, personal and divisive.”
The group said Christians were excluded from Mr. Kerry’s visit between Monday and Tuesday.
Mr. Kerry travelled to Sokoto where he met the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the head of Nigeria’s Muslim community. He later met President Muhammadu Buhari, before meeting governors of northern states.
“Why did he meet with 19 states governors, without southern governors, is Nigeria the north alone, why did you go to the north alone?” CAN President Rev. Supo Ayokunle asked.
“There’s a siege on Christians. Kerry, his actions speak volume, his actions, body language were very divisive.
“If US Secretary of States is coming for official visit, it’s understandable, but we demand explanation why he was selective. Has the sultan palace become another state house? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan?
“We have 36 States in Nigeria; he only selected northern governors to meet with them. It was a visit to the north, not to Nigeria. It was surely a very divisive visit. With the visit to the north, Kerry’s visit has heightened fear and tension among Christians in Nigeria, if they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs.”