2027 polls: Don’t weaponise religion, ethnicity for votes, CAN warns politicians

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’s President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning 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.”

Okoh said as Nigeria approached the 2027 general elections, the association was calling on all political actors to place Nigeria above political ambition.

He said, “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.”

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.

He said, “For 50 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.”

Insecurity

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 the government that the primary responsibility of the 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 Ahmed Tinubu to reduce insecurity, but said more needed to be done.

Alleged persecution of Christians

On the 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 the government or hating Muslims.

“CAN does not support religious hatred, and neither are we opposed to the 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’s policies promote the welfare of Nigerians, we will support them. Where the government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where the government fails to protect citizens, we will say so. Where injustice occurs, we will speak,” he said.

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 October 7 and 9.

Other activities, according to him, include ecumenical workshop on October 10; Bible quiz and charity visit on October 13; women and youth assembly on October 14; jubilee colloquium on October 15; music cantata on October 16; awards and presentation of CAN history book on October 17, and thanksgiving service on October 18.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAN was founded in 1976.