CAN seeks Nigeria’s Embassy relocation to Jerusalem after US, Guatemala, others
Barely one month after the US President, Mr. Donald Trump put paid its promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli administrative capital city by ordering the relocation of US Embassy from Tel-Aviv to the city, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that it is praying that the Federal Government of Nigeria relocates its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
It would be recalled that Guatemala had joined US in relocating its embassy to Jerusalem even as majority of Arab world bicker against the diplomatic move.
CAN President Rev. Samson Ayokunle disclosed this in a goodwill message signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Adebayo Oladeji, presented during the celebration of the 70 years of the existence of the Israeli Government by the Christians United for Israel in Abuja.
Ayokunle in a statement averred that “The Christian Association of Nigeria congratulates the Israeli Government on the relocation of the capital to Jerusalem and on the occasion of 70 years anniversary of their country.
“Unarguably, the relocation is the special anniversary present from the Patriarchs. We appreciate the leadership role of the United States in the landmark historic event.
“We are happy that countries such as the United States of America, Guatemala, Honduras, Romania and Paraguay, have relocated their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“The declaration made by President Donald Trump on December 6, 2017, was a fulfillment of the Biblical prophecy and it is our prayers that other countries, including Nigeria, will relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”
On the the position of the Buhari administration at the United Nations in voting against the United States’ decision to relocate its embassy, CAN further said the negative vote of Nigeria over Jerusalem was not the consensus of the country’s citizens, saying that the vote should not be regarded as representing the choice of Nigerians.
Ayokunle made it clear that “The Christian Association of Nigeria is placing on record that the negative vote of Nigeria over Jerusalem is not the consensus of the citizens of this country and, therefore, it should not be regarded as representing the choice of Nigeria.
“It is a sectional and unilateral imposition of the President Buhari administration.”
Reacting to CAN position on the Embassy relocation, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Guy Feldman said collaboration between the Christian United for Israel and the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria dates back to 2008.
According to him, the 70 years of Israel’s independence and almost 70 years of relations between Israel and Nigeria is worth celebrating.
He observed that “This year is unique and specific to us with what is going on in Israel. The place of Israel and Jerusalem is rising in our neighbourhood and in the world, the movement of United States embassy and other embassies to Jerusalem and this in turn, deepens that relationship with our friends and friends to be.”
