Christian Association CAN: ‘No Politics; We Will Speak Up Whenever Tinubu Govt Fails To Protect Nigerians’ | Sahara Reporters

The CAN president stated this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference marking the association’s 50th anniversary, themed, “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said it will not hesitate to criticise the Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government whenever it fails to protect citizens or violates their rights.

The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the association would continue to engage the government constructively while maintaining its independence and speaking against injustice, insecurity and policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerians.

The CAN president stated this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference marking the association’s 50th anniversary, themed, “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

He said CAN was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation established to praise the government, stressing that its relationship with government would be guided by principles rather than political convenience.

“CAN is neither a government opposition party nor a government praise-singing organisation. We are a Christian institution with a national responsibility,” Okoh said.

He added that the association would support policies that promote the welfare of Nigerians and cooperate with the government where necessary to deliver good governance.

“Where government policies promote the welfare of Nigerians, we will support them.

“Where government requires partnership to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to communities, CAN is available to cooperate.”

However, Okoh warned that the association would not remain silent when citizens suffer or their constitutional rights are threatened.

“Where government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we will say so.

“Where injustice occurs, we will speak. Where constitutional rights are threatened, we will raise our voice. Where citizens are suffering, we cannot remain silent,” he said.

The cleric said CAN’s commitment to truth would not be compromised by its relationship with political leaders.

“We respect the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We respect the institutions of government.

“But our loyalty to truth cannot be compromised or subordinated to political proximity. To do so is to abdicate from our moral responsibility, and it will be a disservice to God and the people we serve.”

Okoh said CAN’s responsibilities extended beyond religious activities to advocacy for good governance, protection of fundamental rights and humanitarian support for vulnerable communities.
The CAN president also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

He said Nigerians continued to suffer from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality.

According to him, places of worship have been attacked, worshippers killed or abducted and communities displaced, while farmers have been forced away from their farmlands, worsening food insecurity.

“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,” he said.

Okoh called for a security system capable of preventing attacks rather than responding only after lives had been lost.

He urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration with communities and civil society organisations to identify emerging threats.

While acknowledging efforts by President Bola Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, Okoh said more needed to be done to improve the performance of security agencies.

“We acknowledge the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team to reduce the level of violence and insecurity in the nation, but we believe that more could be done to improve the services of security agencies in Nigeria.

“Every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the end of killings in this nation,” he said.

On the debate over alleged persecution of Christians, Okoh said CAN would continue to draw attention to attacks, discrimination, marginalisation and other violations affecting Christian communities.

He, however, stressed that defending Christians should not be interpreted as hostility towards the government or other religious groups.

“Defending Christians does not mean fighting the government. It does not mean hating Muslims or any other religious community,” he said.

Okoh said CAN opposed religious hatred and supported the protection of every Nigerian regardless of religious affiliation.

“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 urged the media and other stakeholders to avoid reducing every conflict in Nigeria to religious differences, saying some incidents also involve ethnicity, land disputes, political power, criminality and competition for resources.

The CAN president also called on political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to prioritise national interest and avoid using religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments to mobilise support.

He urged politicians to focus their campaigns on policies and ideas capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

He also warned against hate speech, intimidation and electoral violence.

“Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of violence; a competition for public service, not a licence for personal destruction,” Okoh said.

Okoh further expressed concern over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, citing the rising cost of living, unemployment and the difficulties families face in meeting basic needs such as food, healthcare, education and housing.

He urged the government to implement policies capable of stimulating productive economic activities, creating jobs, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and protecting vulnerable citizens.

“Every economic policy must ultimately be judged by its impact on the people,” he said.

Reflecting on CAN’s 50-year history, Okoh said the association was established in 1976 to provide a common platform for Christian denominations to speak with one voice on issues affecting the Church and the country.

He said CAN had recorded achievements in advocacy, international partnerships, peacebuilding, electoral observation and humanitarian interventions.