We Never Authorised Any Statement – Abia CAN Denies Allegation Against Otti Over Church Tax

The Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied making allegations against Governor Alex Otti over purported tax on churches in the state.

Naija News understands that an online news channel published a story last week quoting that Abia CAN called on Otti to stop taxing God by reversing the state signage law asking churches to pay for their signpost or billboards outside their church premises.

However, the Christian body while denying the report, said it never sent any letter to Sahara Reporters for publication or authorized anyone to make statement on its behalf.

Speaking via a statement by the state chairman of CAN, Rev. Ojo Uduma and the state Secretary of CAN, Rev. Dr. Francis E. Okere over the weekend, the Association urged the publication to retract it’s claim and also apologise.

The statement reads, “This is to bring to the notice of the general public that Christian Association of Nigeria Abia State chapter did NOT send any letter to Sahara Reporters for publication and never authorized anybody or group of persons to make any publication on our behalf.

“We therefore demand that the said article published on Sahara Reporters online portal on October 22, 2024 with the caption ‘Christian Association of Nigeria kicks as Governor Otti imposes signpost tax on Abia churches’ be retracted immediately and an apology letter should be written and sent to the Abia State chapter of CAN through Sahara Reporters online channel within 72 hours of this publication, else we shall be left with no other option than to direct our lawyers to institute legal procedures (defamation of character) against Sahara Reporters.

“Abia State CAN disassociate herself from any missive, whether printed and or virtually forthwith.”