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 marking the association's 50th anniversary. The anniversary carries the theme "CAN at 50: Walking Together in Faith."
Key Takeaways
Who: CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh
Where and when: A press conference in Abuja on Friday
Occasion: CAN's 50th anniversary, themed "Walking Together in Faith"
Main message: Political actors should run issue-based campaigns and avoid using religion, ethnicity or region for political gain
Other issues: Insecurity, fair media coverage of conflicts, the cost of living, and CAN's relationship with government
Jubilee: Activities run through October 18, 2026
Call for Issue-Based and Peaceful 2027 Campaigns
Archbishop Okoh urged all political actors to put Nigeria above political ambition as the 2027 general elections approach. He said CAN expects campaigns to focus on competing ideas for improving citizens' lives. In his view, Nigerians have already seen enough bloodshed and division during election periods, and he did not want another generation of young people sacrificed to political ambition.
He said political leaders must take responsibility for how their supporters behave and discourage incitement, hate speech, violence and intimidation. Every Nigerian, he added, should be free to vote according to conscience without coercion or manipulation. In his words, "Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of violence."
He said CAN will continue to support credible democratic processes, civic education, peaceful elections and electoral integrity.
Reflecting on 50 Years of Unity
Archbishop Okoh described the anniversary as a statement of who CAN is, where it came from and how it intends to move forward. For five decades, he said, Christians of different traditions, denominations and cultural backgrounds have chosen to walk together under one umbrella.
He acknowledged that the journey has not been smooth. There have been disagreements, difficult moments and leadership challenges, and at times denominational interests seemed to compete with collective ones. Even so, the association stayed together. He stressed that unity has never meant uniformity, but a recognition that some issues are bigger than denominational differences.
How CAN Began
According to Archbishop Okoh, CAN was formed in 1976 because its founders understood that there are moments when the Church must rise above denominational lines. He explained that on August 27, 1976, church leaders were summoned by the then Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, at the instance of the then Chief of General Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Shehu Yar'Adua. The aim was to seek their endorsement of the National Pledge and Flag Salutation in schools. That meeting eventually led to the formation of CAN at the Catholic Secretariat, Race Course, Lagos.
He paid tribute to the association's founding fathers and past presidents, saying their labour was not in vain.
Insecurity: "Early Warning Must Lead to Early Response"
Archbishop Okoh said Nigerians have suffered for more than a decade from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, with places of worship attacked and communities displaced. He repeated CAN's call on government to protect life and property, adding that citizens should never have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers just to stay alive. He said early warnings must be followed by early responses rather than action after people have been killed.
He acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu to reduce insecurity but said more needs to be done.
Persecution Concerns and the Role of the Media
On alleged persecution of Christians, Archbishop Okoh said CAN will keep defending the rights and welfare of Christians. He clarified that this does not mean fighting government or hating Muslims. CAN, he said, does not support religious hatred and does not oppose government for the sake of opposition. The association will speak when a Christian is attacked for his faith, and he said everyone should likewise speak when a Muslim is attacked for his faith, or when any innocent Nigerian is killed by criminals.
He appealed to the media not to reduce every Nigerian conflict to a simple Christian-versus-Muslim narrative. Some conflicts, he noted, involve ethnicity, land, political power and criminality.
CAN and Government: Neither Opposition nor Praise-Singer
The CAN president said the association is neither an opposition party nor a praise-singing organisation. It will support government policies that promote citizens' welfare and acknowledge progress, but will speak out where government fails to protect citizens or where injustice occurs.
Economic Hardship and the Cost of Living
He also raised concern over economic hardship, saying rising living costs have placed enormous pressure on families. He said churches see this daily, with people coming not only with spiritual needs but also with hunger, unemployment, medical bills, school fees and housing problems. He argued that economic policy should be judged by its effect on ordinary people and should not become an abstract exercise detached from their realities.
Achievements Under His Leadership
Archbishop Okoh listed the following:
Stronger national and international partnerships
Advocacy for vulnerable communities
Electoral observation
The Airport Chapel and Pilgrims Centre at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
A partnership with Oasis International on the Africa Study Bible
CAN at 50: Jubilee Programme
He announced the following activities:
Saturday: road walk
Sunday: anniversary crusade with Paul Enenche, senior pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre
October 7 to 9: football competition
October 10: ecumenical workshop
October 13: Bible quiz and charity visit
October 14: women and youth assembly
October 15: jubilee colloquium
October 16: music cantata
October 17: awards and presentation of the CAN history book
October 18: thanksgiving service
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CAN warn politicians about?
CAN warned political parties and politicians against weaponising religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Who is the CAN president?
Archbishop Daniel Okoh.
What is the theme of CAN's 50th anniversary?
"CAN at 50: Walking Together in Faith."
When was CAN founded?
CAN was formed in 1976, at a meeting held at the Catholic Secretariat, Race Course, Lagos.
What are the CAN at 50 activities?
They include a road walk, a crusade, a colloquium, a cantata and a thanksgiving service on October 18.
Source and attribution: This report is based on a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report of Archbishop Okoh's remarks at the press conference in Abuja. The positions expressed are those of the CAN president and are not independent conclusions by 247NewsCheck.
