The Christian Association of Nigeria has warned political parties and candidates against using religion, ethnicity and regional divisions as instruments of political mobilization ahead of the 2027 general election.
CAN President Daniel Okoh said Nigeria could not afford another election season dominated by violence, intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric.
Okoh spoke in Abuja as the association marked its 50th anniversary under the theme Walking Together in Faith.
He said electoral competition should be centered on ideas, policies and public service rather than attempts to exploit Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity.
The CAN President also warned political leaders against exposing young Nigerians to violence for electoral purposes.
He said candidates and political parties should accept responsibility for the behavior of their supporters and ensure that citizens were able to vote according to their conscience.
Okoh cautioned against interpreting every security crisis as a confrontation between Christians and Muslims.
Nigeria’s conflicts, he said, often involve a complex combination of religious, ethnic, political, criminal, territorial and economic factors.
He nevertheless reaffirmed CAN’s responsibility to speak against attacks or discrimination directed at Christians.
But he stressed that defending Christians should not be interpreted as hostility towards Muslims, government or other religious communities.
Okoh said Nigerians should collectively condemn attacks on innocent people irrespective of the victims’ religion.
He also called for equal citizenship, insisting that nobody should be treated as inferior because of faith, ethnicity, political affiliation or state of origin.
On insecurity, the CAN President called for improvements in Nigeria’s security architecture and more effective responses to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and conflicts involving farmers and herders.
He said intelligence about emerging threats should lead to prompt preventive action.
While acknowledging measures introduced by the Tinubu administration, Okoh said Nigerians expected further improvements and wanted an end to killings across the country.
The CAN President also defined the association’s relationship with government as one based on principle rather than political loyalty.
He said CAN was neither an opposition political party nor an institution established to praise government.
On the economy, Okoh expressed concern about unemployment, the rising cost of living and difficulties confronting small businesses.
He urged policymakers to ensure that economic reforms reflected the realities facing ordinary households.
Reflecting on the organization’s history, Okoh recalled that CAN emerged in 1976 following discussions among Christian leaders.
He said the association would continue strengthening Christian unity, interfaith engagement, humanitarian programmes and participation by women and young people.
Activities commemorating the anniversary include religious events, community projects, workshops, youth and women’s programmes, a national colloquium, musical performances and an awards ceremony.
Okoh described the anniversary not as the conclusion of CAN’s work, but as an opportunity to renew its responsibility to Nigeria.
