News Investigators/ The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned political parties and politicians against weaponising religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning on Friday in Abuja at a press conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the association with the theme: “CAN at 50: Walking Together in Faith.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAN was founded in 1976.
Okoh said as Nigeria approached the 2027 general elections, the association was calling on all political actors to place Nigeria above political ambition.
“We expect political campaigns to be issue-based and focused on competing ideas about how to improve the lives of Nigerians.
“Political parties and candidates must resist the temptation to weaponise religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments, as Nigerians have witnessed enough bloodshed and division during election periods.
“We do not want another generation of Nigerian youths sacrificed on the altar of political ambition,” he said.
The CAN president said political leaders must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters.
“They must discourage incitement, hate speech, violence and intimidation. Every Nigerian must be free to vote according to his or her conscience, without coercion, intimidation or manipulation.
“Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of violence; a competition for public service, not a licence for personal destruction,” he said.
Okoh said CAN would continue to support credible democratic processes, civic education, peaceful elections and electoral integrity.
On CAN’s 50 years journey, he said the anniversary was not merely a description of an anniversary, but a statement of who the association was, where it had come from and how it intended to journey into the future.
“For fifty years, Christians from different traditions, denominations, theological backgrounds and cultural contexts have chosen to walk together under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
“We have not always agreed. We have had our differences. We have experienced difficult moments, disagreements and leadership challenges.
“There have been times when denominational interests appeared to compete with our collective interests. Yet, through all these seasons, we have remained together,” he said.
Okoh said CAN’s unity had never meant uniformity, but recognition that there were issues bigger than denominational differences.
He said the association was established in 1976 because its forebears understood that there were moments when the Church must rise above denominational boundaries.
He explained that on Aug. 27, 1976, church leaders were summoned by the then Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, at the instance of Brig. Shehu Yar’Adua, to seek their endorsement of the National Pledge and Flag Salutation in schools, a meeting that eventually led to the formation of CAN at the Catholic Secretariat, Race Course, Lagos.
The cleric paid tribute to founding fathers and past presidents of the association, saying their labour was not in vain.
On insecurity, Okoh said for more than a decade, Nigerians had suffered from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, with places of worship attacked and communities displaced.
“CAN therefore repeats its call to government that the primary responsibility of government is to protect life and property. Citizens should never have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers simply to remain alive.
“Early warning must lead to early response. We cannot continue to wait until people are killed before action is taken,” he said.
He acknowledged efforts of President Bola Tinubu to reduce insecurity, but said more needed to be done.
On alleged persecution of Christians, Okoh said CAN would continue to defend the rights and welfare of Christians, but clarified that defending Christians did not mean fighting government or hating Muslims.
“CAN does not support religious hatred, and neither are we opposed to government simply for the sake of opposition.
“When a Christian is attacked because of his faith, we will speak. When a Muslim is attacked because of his faith, we should speak. When an innocent Nigerian is killed by terrorists, bandits or criminals, we must all speak,” he said.
He appealed to the media to resist reducing every Nigerian conflict to a simplistic Christian-versus-Muslim narrative, noting that some conflicts involved ethnicity, land, political power and criminality.
On CAN-Government relations, Okoh said the association was neither an opposition party nor a praise-singing organisation.
“Where government policies promote the welfare of Nigerians, we will support them. Where government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we will say so. Where injustice occurs, we will speak,” he said.
He also expressed concern over economic hardship, saying rising cost of living had placed enormous pressure on families.
“The Church sees these realities every day. People come into our churches not only with spiritual needs but with hunger, unemployment, medical bills, school fees, housing challenges and uncertainty about the future.
“Every economic policy must ultimately be judged by its impact on the people. Economic reform cannot become an abstract exercise divorced from the realities of ordinary families,” Okoh said.
He listed achievements under his leadership to include strengthened national and international partnerships, advocacy for vulnerable communities, electoral observation, the Airport Chapel and Pilgrims Centre at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and partnership with Oasis International on the Africa Study Bible.
Okoh announced that activities for CAN at 50 would include road walk on Saturday anniversary crusade on Sunday, with Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, football competition between Oct. 7 and Oct. 9.
Other activities includes ecumenical workshop on Oct. 10, Bible quiz and charity visit on Oct. 13, women and youth assembly on Oct. 14, jubilee colloquium on Oct. 15, music cantata on Oct. 16, awards and presentation of CAN history book on Oct. 17, and thanksgiving service on Oct. 18.
NAN