By Godwin Ajom
Reliable sources have informed CrossRiverWatch that some pastors in Cross River State, under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are collecting NGN40,000 each, to use their pulpits and sermons to preach against the proposed August 1 nationwide protest.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that the CAN hierarchies led by its Chairman met with the Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu, Emmanuel Ironbar in Government House, who offered them NGN2 million, to use their pulpits and sermons to discourage their members.
However, the Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of CAN, Rev. Takis Caifas Etim, has denied the allegations, saying “There’s nothing like that”.
When quizzed by CrossRiverWatch on the allegations, Mr. Etim said Governor Bassey Otu Government said, “We should plead with people not to cause problems because #ENDSARS caused a lot of trouble. But there is nothing like paying NGN40,000 to persuade people not to protest.”
CAN’s Public Relations Officer the State, Prince Eyo Boco, said the association “is not against any peaceful protest, but encourages the government not to allow any form of violence by providing adequate security for protesters during the Protest.”
However, he acknowledged that the association met with the State Government to discuss ways of handling the protest to avoid escalation.
This is coming days after Governor Otu warned Cross Riverians to stay away from the proposed August 1 protest.
READ MORE: Jettison Joining Proposed Nationwide Protest – Cross River Government Warns
Nigerians, fed up with the hard-bitting cost of living and economic reality in the country have slated August 1st to 10th to make their grievances known through peaceful demonstrations.
The protest, the first of its dimension since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Bassey Otu assumed office, is feared to escalate with reference to the arson that followed the 2020 #ENDSARS 2020 protest after State sponsored thugs attacked peaceful protesters, injuring at least one in Calabar.
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