CAN warns politicians against weaponising religion, ethnicity ahead of 2027
By Damilola Akinwale –
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned political actors against weaponising religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing previous political violence during elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning at a press conference in Abuja on Friday to mark the association’s 50th anniversary, themed “CAN at 50: Walking Together in Faith”. He called on political parties and their candidates to place the lives of Nigerians above political ambitions.
“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.
Okoh added that political leaders must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters to ensure free and fair elections. He said elections should be a contest of ideas and public service rather than violence and personal destruction, while reiterating CAN’s commitment to credible democratic processes, civic education, peaceful elections and electoral integrity.
Recounting the history of the association, Okoh said church leaders were summoned on August 27, 1976, by the then Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, at the instance of the then Chief of General Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Shehu Yar’Adua, to seek their endorsement of the National Pledge and Flag Salutation in schools. He said the meeting eventually led to the formation of CAN at the Catholic Secretariat, Race Course, Lagos.
Speaking on insecurity, the cleric said Nigerians had suffered terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence for more than a decade, with places of worship attacked and communities displaced. He called on the government to continue protecting citizens, acknowledging efforts by President Bola Tinubu to reduce insecurity but stressing that 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 this did not mean opposing the government or fighting Muslims. He urged Nigerians to speak up whenever a fellow citizen was terrorised, regardless of religious affiliation, and cautioned the media against reducing every conflict to a religious war, noting that some involved ethnicity, land, political power and criminality.
Okoh also emphasised CAN’s non-partisan relationship with the government, saying the association was neither an opposition party nor a praise-singing organisation. He expressed concern over economic hardship and the rising cost of living, urging the government to implement economic reforms with less impact on families.
