• Accuse of insubordination
From John Adams, Minna
Crisis is brewing in the Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as the christian body on Monday suspended its Secretary, Pastor Raphael Opawoye of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) accusing of insubordination and smearing the name of the Association.
The Christian body in a Letter of Suspension dated June 24 and signed by the State Acting Secretary, Very Revd. Goodseed Ekeleme ordered the immediate suspension of the secretary from office.
The suspension letter which was read before the Executive Council meeting,, said “since your nomination and confirmation as CAN Secretary, you have consistently acted contrary to our stated guidelines, often acting alone and without authorization from the executive body.
“Over the past year, we have brought to your awareness patterns of behavior and activities of yours, which have continued to prove detrimental to the growth of CAN in Niger State and jeopardize our integrity as followers of Jesus.
“You have however continued to disregard our efforts and enteritis to act based on our shared call.
“Where you have been given clear instructions regarding specific assignments, you have repeatedly disregarded either verbal and or written guidelines, choosing instead your personal interest over the interest of CAN, thereby misrepresenting and jeopardizing the common goal and good of the entire CAN”, it added
The letter further stated that the Secretary had severally concealed truth over issues, exhibited acts of insubordination, with total disregard of the constituted authority and with reckless abandon.
While disclosing that the actions of the Secretary have reflected CAN in the negative, the religious body said “after prayerful and careful deliberations, we have decided to suspend you from your role as Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter indefinitely with immediate effect.
“You are hereby asked to desist from speaking for, acting on behalf of the Niger State CAN in any capacity no matter the minuscule”.
Furthermore, the Body while saying it had notified the OAIC Bloc where the Secretary represents, urged them (OAIC) to send a replacement as soon as possible.