YOUTH WING OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (YOWICAN)

 

RE- WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE BYE ELECTION FOR JALINGO, YORRO, ZING FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY OF TARABA STATE BY THE MUMUYE YOUTH WING OF THE MUMUYE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION. 

The attention of the Youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) Northern Zone has been drawn to the World  Press Conference by the concerned Mumuye Youths in collaboration with the Mumuye Youth Cultural Development Association 

where they allegedly pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the umbrella Christian body in the state -The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter. 

In as much as CAN will not want to join issues with politically sponsored groups in order not to overheat the polity and widen gaps of division along ethnic and religious lines in our dear state, we the youth wing would like to clear the air and set the records straight. We, therefore, wish to respond as follows: 

1. The Mumuye Cultural Development Association as the body has both Christian and Muslim members and coming out to speak in the manner the group did is an indication that the Muslim members of the Mumuye Youth whom the withdrawal of CAN support to Hon.  Jabayang favors do not matter. This is divisive and contrary to the teachings of Christ who preaches peace and love for one another irrespective of tribe or belief system. 

2. When CAN openly endorse Hon. Innocent Umar Jabayang after due consultations, where were the Mumuye Youths who are speaking today? The decision to withdraw the support was not just a CAN decision, but the candidate in question was in the know of the events leading to the withdrawal of the support. CAN will always protect the interest of Christians and the support for Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida of the PDP is still in the interest of Christians in the long run. 

3. The Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency is not only made up of Mumuye people. We want to call on the Mumuye Youth to be conscious of the fact that playing tribal and religious politics at this critical time, will be a dangerous precedence that will be difficult to curtail in the days ahead. We expect the Youth Wing of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association to look beyond this bye-election and play politics that will be beneficial to all in the constituency. 

4. YOWICAN Northern Zone commends His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas for his excellent leadership style in the state and call on all to support his all-inclusive government initiative to succeed. Fanning embers of division is not the best for a society that is craving for development. 

5. We also want to commend the security agencies for their roles in tracking down kidnappers and bandits terrorizing the people of the state especially their recent successes in Yorro, Zing, Takum, and Lau Local Government Areas. 

6. We want to call on  the Concern Mumuye Youth and Mumuye Youth Cultural Development Association to follow the biblical teachings which say "Honor your Father and Mother so that you will live, long."

7. We want the world to know that the Youth Wing of CAN Taraba State Chapter has total trust and confidence in the leadership of CAN Taraba, and we call on our parent body to forgive the Mumuye youths for they do not know what they are doing. 

Hon. Brother Zephania Yabung 

Chairman 

YOWICAN, Nothern Zone 

Taraba State