Edo CAN Denies Knowledge of N3m Jonathan Largesse to State Chapter

The Edo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Peter Imasuen, on Monday denied any involvement in the sharing of N7 billion largesse allegedly given to the national leadership of the association by President Goodluck Jonathan in which the state chapter got N3 million. Imasuen, who is also the Bishop of Benin Diocese, Anglican Communion, stated this in Benin City, while reacting to the allegation raised by a Borno-based cleric, Pastor Kallam Musa-Dikwa, that the sum of N3 million, from the largesse, was disbursed to Edo State chairman of the association. Musa-Dikwa, had on February 16 claimed that CAN got the money on January 26, 2015 and distributed N3 million to each state chairman across the country to enable them support the re-election bid of President Jonathan. But Bishop Imasuen told newsmen in Benin City that he was not aware of the money, as he did not attend the last meeting of the Christian body and did collect any money, as a state chairman. “I am not a politician; what we owe the country is prayer. So, I don’t know anything about the money. “They didn’t give me any money and I was not even there when we had the last CAN meeting; at that time, we were having the standing committee at Ughelli (Delta State). So, how would they have given me money when I was not in the meeting?” Asked if he would have benefited from the alleged largesse if he had been present, Imasuen retorted: “Collected the money for what? What will I use the money for? We are men of God; we are to pray for the peace of the country. “At the time you now take money, how will God answer your prayer? I don’t run after riches. I run after blessing; riches come and go but blessings remain.” He noted that he was only interested in performing his responsibility as a cleric, rather than engaging in partisan politics. The cleric also described the allegation as one peddled by persons whom he described as “self-made pastors and bishops” who could say anything to cause disunity. “Even if you give me money, I would be afraid; I will not sleep because the politicians will be after you, everybody will be after you, the thieves will know that you have money. So, I will rather relax my mind and be okay with whatever God gives me. “There are many people who are self-made pastors or bishops; they can say anything. If you do something I don’t like, for instance, I can go back and do certain things to distabilise you. “I don’t belong to any party; once I know that you are a credible person, I can vote for you; vote for those that can stand and defend this country. We are praying God to give us a leader who will lead us and lead the youths,” he added.