Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos, claimed on Tuesday that the media misquoted him when reporting on his alleged support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC's presidential candidate.
Adegbite reportedly said, "God would punish us, if we don't back Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu," which enraged many church leaders both inside and outside the top Christian organisation, who had taken a strong stance against any political party that floated a same-faith presidential ticket.
In the Upper Legislative Chamber, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON, who represents the Lagos Central Senatorial District, gave the stewardship report of his 12-year tenure in the Senate. He said that mischief makers misinterpreted his remarks at that time.
In a statement from his special adviser on media and public relations, Very Rev. Oladapo Daramola, Adegbite further explained that he was very aware of the trust placed in him as the head of the Christians in Lagos state and would never use careless language or even come close to threatening those who would not vote for Tinubu with God's wrath.
He said, “Dearly beloved, it’s quite possible that you have read a story published by a national daily where the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State, Rt. Rev. Dr S.T.V Adegbite was quoted as saying ‘God will punish us, if we don’t support Tinubu – Lagos CAN.’
“I can reliably inform you that this headline is not only misleading but totally out of context. This is not damaging control but setting the records straight.
“Clearly, the aforementioned was said in his personal capacity and premised on his wonderful relationship with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“He was not speaking on behalf of Christians or as the Chairman of CAN in Lagos.
“The Bishop is quite mindful of his position of trust as the leader of Christians in the State and would never speak loosely or anything close to that.
“The writer of the original story has promised to tell the story as it was gathered and this will be shared as soon as it is done.
“But please accept this as the fact and kindly ignore whatever was published in the media or what has been shared so far.”