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Tag: CAN

  • You have seven days to resign, Coalition of Pastors warn CAN President

    Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been advised to step aside from his role by Some Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria (SCFN).

    This group consist of distinguished and highly-respected clergymen across the country, utterly displeased with the direction the Church is aimlessly drifting towards.

    Established in the mid 1980’s, CAN’s original project was to unite the body of Christ as a counterweight to the growth of political Islam.

    However, these days the group rarely have a common voice. Save harmonizing it.

    CAN is fast drifting into something of a chortle device, a tool in the hands of politicians and champion for ethnic-sectarian bigots.

    In a bid to save whatsoever is left from the sinking ship, CCFN, a group of over 500 pastors in Nigeria has urged Rev Ayokunle to walk away with dignity rather than seek re-election.

    The coalition of pastors made this known on Tuesday through leader Rev. Prince Thompson.

    According to the group, Ayokunle underwhelmed, falling short of the massive expectations on his shoulder when he took charge.

    As a result, the president has been given seven days to tender his resignation or face a backlash from the church.

    “CAN’s leadership under the current President, Reverend Supo Ayokunle, was highly anticipated to be reformists enough to return the association to its lost glory, for it to carry out a practically cleansing of CAN to free it of the dirt clinging to it from wallowing in the mire with swine,” the pastors moaned.

    “ Our hope in Reverend Ayokunle being able to deliver CAN from the shackles of materialism have been dashed. Beyond having our hopes dashed we are being made despondent because his under his leadership “the high places were not taken away” but they were rather made higher. Truth is being sacrificed on individual private altars built to glorify self.

    “ On top of whatever we, at that time, accused the Pastor Oritsejafor leadership of, Reverend Ayokunle’s tenure has visited the affliction on Christendom a thousand folds. Not only did he continue to desecrate the divine mandate of the association by deploying it as an arm of the PDP he has added the evil of hatred by actively promoting Islamophobia. CAN overnight became a vehicle for teaching believers to hate other humans that made after the likeness of God image simply on account of their present religious subscription.

    “ A situation where President of CAN has become a tool in the hands of politicians and champion for ethnic-sectarian bigots in the country is a border that should never have been crossed but that is precisely where Christianity in Nigeria is now camped.

    “ The situation is so bad that there are so many allegations about the Reverend and his associates have been collecting money from politicians and keeping same for personal gains in exchange to speaking according to scripts given to them by these politicians. There is no doubt that by all standard he has failed in his responsibility as a father to all and has allowed selfish agenda to rob him of being a channel for the flow of God’s words.

    “ We have come to the realization that the violence to the body of Christ cannot be allowed to continue for longer lest there will be more atheist and agnostics than Christians by the time Reverend Ayokunle’s leadership of CAN completes its tenure.

    “The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria therefore demands the immediate resignation of Reverend Supo Ayokunle as CAN President. Our demand entails that the entire CAN Executive resigns with the President to allow the association replace them with a leadership that will chart a course that conforms with the ideology upon which CAN was founded.

    “ If the rejected CAN executive is at a loss as to why it has to go, it only needs to look to the existence of our forum. Had CAN pursued the agenda of uniting Christians across the various sects, denominations and persuasions, we would not have need to form this group pressure the leaders into the doing the needful.

    “ We give the Reverend Ayokunle executive seven days from today hand over the affairs of the association to an interim committee to run its affairs pending when a new election will be conducted.

  • Sri Lanka Attack: CAN commiserates, charges UN to end terrorism

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commiserated with the government and people Sri Lanka, where more than 300 persons were killed on Easter Sunday church attacks.

    The Christian body also charged the United Nations, UN to devise ways of ending the menace of terrorism across the world.

    The President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, made this known in a statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN president, on Tuesday in Abuja.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a wave of bombings across Sri Lanka on Sunday killed at least 321 people and injured hundreds more, leading to the arrest about 40 suspects.

    Sri Lanka has also declared a state of emergency, with Tuesday was declared a national day of mourning.

    Ayokunle said CAN was standing with the government and people of Sri Lanka.

    “Though Sri Lankan officials reportedly said they believed that the local Islamist extremist group, National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), was behind the attacks, ISIS has already claimed responsibility for the dastardly attacks according to media reports.

    “ISIS has gained global notoriety as a terrorist group that derives joy in barbaric persecution of Christians and launching of deadly attacks against them.
    “The same weekend here in Nigeria, no fewer than 11 were reportedly killed in Benue State during the Easter celebrations.

    “According to reports, no fewer than 20 others died and some 35 others also sustained injuries in other Easter attacks on Christians in Adamawa and Gombe States,” he said.

    According to him, it was a tragic irony that these dastardly acts took place while Christians were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died for the sin of the world, including those terrorists.

    “Our hearts are with the families that are affected and we pray for all those who are recuperating in the hospitals and medical facilities for quick recovery.

    “Ultimately, we call on the Lord to console and comfort all the bereaved,” he prayed.

    The cleric said that Christians were increasingly becoming endangered species all over the world.

    “No fewer than 200 innocent women, including a teenage student, Leah Sharibu, have been kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria.

    “Sadly, government appears powerless in rescuing them and protecting the lives of Nigerians.

    “This Sri Lanka attacks came while the whole world has not yet recovered from the shock of the disastrous fire which ravaged one of France’s most iconic sites, Notre-Dame Cathedral, though the incident was not linked to terror attack,” he noted.

    He called on the UN and other global organisations to come to the aid of all the victims in Sri Lanka, France, Nigeria and other countries of the world suffering from similar fate.

    He urged the UN to take a more aggressive lead in championing a global campaign to stop all forms of terror attacks, not just against Christians and other worship places around the world, but should also improve on its provision of relief supports to the victims of terrorism promptly.

    “The situation requires immediate action in order not to get out of hand,” he explained.

    “We are, however comforted by the fact that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will restore peace to the world, even if the human system fails “as it has always failed”to provide us peace and protection whether the devil likes it or not. Amen.

    “We equally urge our beloved Sri Lanka brethren, Christians in Nigeria and around the world not to lose faith in God; let us all remain resolute on our faith and confidence in God through Jesus Christ bearing in mind that, the resurrected Christ for whom we pay such costly sacrifices remains our eternal saviour, help, hope, comforter and rewarder,” he said.

  • Tackle increasing kidnapping, insurgency now, CAN tells Buhari in Easter Message

    … Calls for peaceful coexistence

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Saturday appealed to the Federal Government to urgently put an end to the rising case of kidnapping and killings especially in the northern part of the country.

    President of CAN, Rev Samson Ayokunle in his Easter message also urged government to secure the country to ensure safety of lives and property to allow free movement of people during and after the festive period.

    He advised all Christians, Muslims and non-religious citizens to pursue peace, tolerance and love for one another no matter the situation.

    In a statement he personally signed and made available to The Nation, Ayokunle said: “On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I congratulate all Christians in Nigeria and beyond on this most auspicious occasion of this year’s Easter, which is a commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!

    “The essence of Easter is unquestionable and indisputable. The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event in human history. It is this costly work of redemption on the cross – bearing the curse and death of mankind as a result of sin – that brought man the most powerful experience of spiritual rebirth, the uncommon grace to share eternal life of God. Jesus is thus the eternal ransom, an innocent Lamb of God that took the place of man in eternal condemnation. May His name be glorified forever, Amen.

    “In this season and beyond, I advise Nigerians to love one another as Christ loved us and gave His life for us! Lack of love today is the breeding ground for religious intolerance, killings and destructions, which in turn lead to insurgency and other forms of violence with their attendant humanitarian crises such as mass human displacements, hunger, outbreak of sicknesses and diseases, etc, in many parts of the country today.

    “The Federal Government is further called upon to secure the nation for the purposes of safety of lives, property and free movement of people. Kidnapping, increasing wave of armed robbery and resurgence of insurgency coupled with relentless attacks by ethnic militia men are a great concern for patriotic Nigerians and an embarrassment to the nation. These issues should be addressed squarely, promptly and fairly.

    “We thank Mr. President for assuring the nation and its citizens of his commitment to the provision of security for all, irrespective of tribe, religion or political divide. We want to see in no distant time, that this noble promise is translated into action in the most patriotic way.”

    The CAN boss went further that: “The celebration of Easter is important to Christians because it reminds us that somebody died or sacrificed Himself so that others might live. It calls our attention to the fact that we can be betrayed, denied or abandoned by those that are close to us. It reminds us that our prayers are answered when God does His will in our lives.

    “Easter reminds us that the way to elevation is rough and could be fatally painful. Life is all about what we can sacrifice for others’ comfort and not what we can benefit from it. Easter reminds us that death is not the end of all things for Christians. As he rose from death, we shall rise also at the resurrection of the just on the Last Day.

    “Standing upon this eternal Truth, I am of utmost conviction that whatever is dead in our lives as individuals and a nation will experience resurrection power and come back to life in the name of Jesus because our God is alive. As Jesus rose above death, we shall rise above all our challenges in this nation in the name of Jesus.

    “Public gatherings like going to meet Jesus at Galilee was common as one of the ways to celebrate Easter many years ago. There was no fear then that some crazy people would come to such gatherings and bomb the place. Easter was celebrated then in the atmosphere of peace unlike the present fear and tension that hover around our social and national security.”

    In the spirit of the season, and as citizens of this country, Ayokunle urged all Christians, as well as Muslims and non-religious citizens of Nigeria to pursue peace, tolerance and love for one another: “just as Jesus offered His life to reconcile humankind to God. This is one of the greatest needs today in our dear country and it requires genuine sacrifice to achieve it. This is because it is in the atmosphere of peace that we would have progress as a nation.”

  • Leave politics to politicians, ex-Senate President, Ebute tells CAN

    Third Republic Senate President, Sen. Ameh Ebute, has cautioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to forthwith depart the political arena for the main gladiators.

    The country’s Christian leaders recently delved into partisan politics, abandoning their primary assignment of soul-winning.

    After pressure from all and sundry, the religious group sluggishly congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, having previously taking side with the opposition.

    Senator Ebute, however, advised CAN to de-robe itself from the garments of partisanship or political parties.

    He gave this charge at the opening forum of a two-day international conference on politics, religion and ethnicity in Nigeria organized by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP).

    Senator Ebute was also very critical of Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi, urging him to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom.

    “ Why do we draw the swords against ourselves for political, ethnic or religious reasons? Where and when did we abandon our cherished traditional norms of hospitality and brotherhood? Why the so much hate and animosities between brothers/sisters and among communities, over such molten factors, which ought to unite, rather than divide us?,” he queried.

    “ I regret to say, we have deviated so extraneously from the solid foundations our founding fathers and world-recognized nationalists laid for the future of this great nation, Nigeria.

    “ These great Nigerians did great things for Nigeria. Nobody actually heard about their religion, ethnicity or region in the country to the level of interfering with the delicate cords, which bind Nigeria together as one strong and indivisible entity in the resoluteness of unity.

    “ In post- independence Nigeria, the Zik of Africa as he was popularly called told us that ‘Each of our three regions is vastly different in many respects, but each has this in common: that, despite variety of languages and custom or difference in climate, all forms part of one country which has existed as a political and social entity for fifty years. That is why we believe that the political union of Nigeria is destined to be perpetual and indestructible.’

    “ We must also ponder on the wisdom of Sir Ahmadu Bello on unity and peace of Nigeria. He canvassed a proper understanding of ourselves for the unity of Nigeria in his reply to Zik of Africa thus; ‘… let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a Northerner. You are a Christian, an Easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.’

    “ And the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo reminded us that; ‘Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause. It lingers on long after the object of hate has disappeared from the scene to plague the lives of those who have employed it against their foes.’

    “ This generation of Nigerians today are obliged to listen and reflect on these great wisdom the founding fathers as constant reminders to us about the desirability of peace. I shall indulge in futile deception, if I tell you these men never had disagreements or bruised one another in the course of their sojourn for Nigeria. They had aplenty!

    “ But they considered the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians greater and paramount than personal feuds and never spilled blood over disputes. It’s a lesson for us to go back to our homes and reflect. It is the reason I am glad to be part of this momentous ceremony, which is time and essences is very useful to Nigeria.

    “If you permit me, I will appeal to this congregation to take the message out loudly and indeed, to all Nigerians to follow your footsteps. I am excited at the fact that you have found in President Buhari a reincarnation of the souls and spirits of our founding fathers.

    “ Whatever Nigeria’s forbearers’ wished for our nation, Nigeria, is embodied by President Buhari. He is now the trusted anchorman because we have seen in him the traits of a genuine leader, who does not only regret our shameful departure from the standpoint of this nation, but is also prepared to lead the path for our glorious recovery.

    “ President Buhari is a rare leader, gifted to us at this of our political or existence history. And we are elected to rally around him to reclaim Nigeria from all the destructive forces of darkness.

    “ May l also seize, this opportunity to appeal to some Northern leaders like Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom in the larger equation of Nigeria.

    “ Our dear country is home to all Nigerians. It’s pointless talking tough always on our ethnic or religious fault lines, instead of striving to reunify ourselves and a traumatized nation.

    “ Similarly, I caution all religious leaders in Nigeria, especially those of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), my primary constituency, as a Christian, to de-robe themselves from the garments of partisanship or political parties. There is no need to heat the polity with inflammable comments at his delicate period of our history.

    “ Religious leaders must necessarily leave politics for politicians, if we want this nation to progress in peace and unity. All of you must agree with me that our people have been wrongly indoctrinated to believe religion is something so sensitive enough to spark violence and killings.”

  • Breaking: Buhari meets CAN leadership, Imams behind closed doors

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting between the president and the CAN leadership was held behind closed doors at the Council Chamber of the State House.

    The outcome of the president’s meeting with the CAN leadership was being expected as at the time of filing this report.

    However, it was gathered that the religious leaders were in the villa to congratulate Buhari on his re-election for another four years term.

    President Buhari would also be meeting with Imams and Senior Islamic Scholars from across the country later, today.

    Details later…

  • Pray or elections may not hold, CAN declares

    The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to pray this week if they want the general elections to hold.

    President of the association, Rev Samson Ayokunle, made the declaration during a service at the Trinity Baptist Church, Ajobo, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Sunday.

    In his words: “About what is happening in the country, I want you to pray very well this week. If it’s about the things we see in the spirit, it is not sure that elections will hold at all. We won’t want elections to hold like they didn’t hold; if that should happen, it would cause trouble or even lead to war.

    “That is why we have asked you to pray this week. This is a week for prayers. Pray that bad people will not be involved in Nigeria’s affairs. About the elections, we will pray that they will not result in war or bring agony. People who think they are powerful and want to cause problems for us, God Himself will give them problems and bind them. God will take power from them.

    “Please, pray very well this week so that the elections might be able to hold on February 23 as the INEC has said. The postponement, to us, is a national embarrassment.”

    Speaking further he said: “And not only that, it is a setback for a nation that was ready to vote in their President. We believe however that God is still on the throne and the INEC chairman cannot play with the collective wish of Nigerians. He cannot joke with that. Be prayerful; gather this week to pray because prayers can do a lot within this week. If the writing on the wall, as revealed by the spirit, is anything to go by, if we don’t pray sufficiently, elections may not hold at all.”

    Recall that INEC had on Saturday, few hours before the presidential and National Assembly elections, deferred the polls till February 23, 2019 and others earlier scheduled to hold on March 2, 2019 to March 9, 2019.

    Ayokunle said CAN would play a vital role during the elections.

    “You know, for the first time in the history of CAN, we are sending election observers across the federation to observe how elections are going on. If there is any malpractice anywhere, they will report (it) immediately to the control room at the Christian Secretariat in Abuja. We are sending 1,000 election observers across the federation and we had never done that before. It costs money but we are committed to it,” he said.

     

  • CAN calls for prayers, calm over elections’ postponement

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, has advised Nigerians to remain calm and continue to pray fervently for peaceful elections.

    Its state chairman, Dr John Ibenu, gave the advice while speaking to newsmen after a church service on Sunday in Lokoja.

    The cleric was reacting to the rescheduling of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Feb. 23 from Feb. 16 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ibenu appealed for calmness despite describing the postponement as being ‘unfortunate’.

    ”God is in charge; everything works together for good to them that love God; we should see it as part of the answers to our prayers from God.

    “Those who are planning to cause violence should desist because God will bring all their works and actions to judgment,” Ibenu said.

    He advised Nigerians, especially Christians, to remain calm and continue to pray fervently for peaceful and violence-free elections.

    The cleric also advised Nigerians to shun all acts of electoral violence and malpractice at all times and in all places before, during and after the elections.

    He urged Christians to vote for candidates who would stand for righteousness, peace, joy, security, job creation, unity and progress of Nigerians.

    Also, Pastor Dapo Olumuyiwa, the State Pastor of Living Faith Church, Lokoja, urged Christians to be resilient and not be discouraged.

    He admonished them not to be disappointed by the rescheduling of the elections, but rather be more committed to voting against evil in Nigeria.

    In his sermon with the title: ”Walking In Dominion”, the cleric said that believers had been redeemed to walk in established dominion by Jesus Christ.

    He appealed to the congregation to come out massively on Feb. 23 to exercise their civic rights without any fear of intimidation.

    The cleric also urged them not to sell their votes nor release their PVCs to anybody no matter the inducement.

    He prayed that God would silence the devil and all its agents perpetrating evil against Nigeria.

     

  • Osinbajo’s helicopter crash: CAN reacts

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Sunday, facilitated with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for surviving an helicopter crash on Saturday in Kabba, Kogi.

    The President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement in Abuja, issued by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, also appreciated God for Osinbajo’s safety.

    “The leadership of CAN is grateful to God and rejoice with the Federal Government and Osinbajo.

    “We give glory to God for sparing the life of the Vice President and his team from the helicopter crash while mobilising support for his party in preparation for the coming general elections,” he said.

    The cleric recalled that the Vice President had similar experience in 2018 while visiting the Nigeria Customs College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    “It is our prayers that God will continue to watch over him and other top government functionaries in Jesus’ Name,” he said.

    Ayokunle urged the technical team or those responsible for the certification of the aircrafts and helicopters in the country used by the government officials to be more meticulous so as to avoid putting their lives in danger.

    “May God continue to watch over our nation, our leaders and its citizens in the name of Jesus,” he said.

    A statement by the Vice President Spokesperson, Laolu Akande, explained: “The Vice President, departed Abuja around 1p.m Saturday on a chopper ride to Kogi State in continuation of the Family Chats & Next Level engagements.

    “Prof. Osinbajo headed first to Kabba, and while landing at the Kabba Stadium, the helicopter suddenly skidded sideways until it halted on its side few metres away from the intended resting spot.

    “Alongside VP Osinbajo, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, senior presidential aides, security officials and the crew; there were a total of 12 people on board. everyone came out safely after the incident.

    “The Vice President is continuing the planned engagements in Kogi State as scheduled.”

     

  • 2019: Boko Haram poses major threats to credible polls – CAN

    2019: Boko Haram poses major threats to credible polls – CAN

    The resurgent activities of Boko Haram terrorists may pose a threat to the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) warned on Thursday.

    The CAN leadership urged the federal government to tackle the attacks before the polls.

    This was part of the resolutions at the first quarterly meeting of CAN in Abuja.

    The Christian body also pointed out efforts of the government in providing security is “not yielding the needed results as wanton killings have continued, especially in some States in the northern part of the country.”

    CAN urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    A statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle said: “Boko Haram appeared to have resurrected again, decimating communities in Borno and Yobe States in particular, not sparing soldiers.

    “This resurgence of insecurity in the Northeast portends danger for the forthcoming general elections if efforts at curtailing it are not increased. Many voters might be disenfranchised from voting.

    “The Association commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous reassurance that all will be done by the government to make the forthcoming general elections free, fair and credible.

    “We at the same time implore Mr. President to make sure that all these promises are transformed into reality through concrete efforts that would prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.

    “The Association calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other security agents not to make themselves available to be used for rigging or any form of electoral malpractice by the politicians.

    “No voter or election observer must be intimidated or harassed throughout the period of the election.

    “We equally urge politicians to run away from vote buying while the electorates should not allow anybody to buy their votes. If you sell your vote, you sell your future.”

    The body added: “We reaffirm our support for all efforts of government geared towards stamping out corruption from our country.

    “We, however, caution that efforts geared towards stamping out corruption from Nigeria must follow due process of the law while the independence of each arm of government for peace and harmony in the society must be well maintained.

    “Wisdom and caution should be applied by those in government and other Nigerians in all that we do so that our actions and speeches might not set our nation on fire at this crucial period of election.”

     

  • Elections: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, CAN warns politicians

    The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has advised politicians to avoid utterances and actions, which are capable of disturbing the nation’s peace.

    Ayokunle gave the advice at the 2nd General Assembly of the Inter-faith Dialogue Forum for Peace, with the theme, ‘‘General Elections and National Security: The Role of Inter-faith Communities’’ in Abuja on Wednesday.

    ‘‘I also want to appeal to politicians not to set the nation on fire because of their personal ambition at the expense of national interest.

    ‘‘People who don’t have any work outside politics should not be voted into power.

    ‘‘I want to urge those in government and all politicians to calm down, to avoid breakdown of law and order because of elections.

    ‘‘Enough is enough on the destruction of our country. Thuggery and any format of electoral violence should be discouraged by all politicians,’’ he said.

    He also enjoined politicians not to be desperate to acquire power because leadership was a burden.

    The CAN leader said that politicians must respect the rule of law, to enhance peace in the country.

    He, however, urged the electorate to vote for people who had something to offer for the advancement of the country.

    Ayokunle, therefore, charged the law enforcement agencies to help in building the nation’s democracy by ensuring free, fair and credible elections during the forthcoming general elections.

    “Don’t help in installing bad leaders during elections and don’t use your uniforms to do a dirty job by intimidating or preventing voters to discharge their civic responsibilities.

    “We don’t want to see or hear such incidences again if we don’t want to mortgage the future of our children.

    “We should not play politics with the security of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He also admonished religious leaders to continue to pray for the country, preach peace and avoid making divisive comments that could disrupt the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

    ‘‘I want to urge faith communities to continue to pray for Nigeria because the relative peace we are enjoying in this country is because of our constant prayers.’’

    The co-Chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Rev. Sunday Onuoha, advised the Federal and state governments to redirect their efforts towards building stronger institutions that would be beneficial to all citizens.

    ‘‘All institutions, both government and non-government, should be open to dialogue and not close their minds to other opinions or see other opinions as threat, as no one has the monopoly of knowledge,’’ he said.

    He urged those who presented themselves for elective positions to be willing to accept the outcome of the elections.