2027: CAN Warns Politicians Against Religious, Ethnic Politics

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned political parties and their candidates against weaponising religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to make the polls a contest of ideas and policies.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning in Abuja on Friday while addressing journalists as part of activities marking the association’s 50th anniversary, with the theme, “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

With the 2027 elections already scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly polls, and February 6 for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, the CAN president said political actors must put the interest of Nigeria above personal ambitions.

Okoh said CAN expected political campaigns to focus on competing ideas on how to improve the lives of Nigerians rather than exploiting religious and ethnic differences.

He said, “Political parties and candidates must resist the temptation to weaponise religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments. 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 also warned political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters by discouraging incitement, hate speech, violence and intimidation.

According to him, every Nigerian must be allowed to vote according to his or her conscience without coercion, intimidation or manipulation.

He declared that CAN would continue to support credible democratic processes, civic education, peaceful elections and electoral integrity.

“Our message to politicians is clear: 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.

The CAN president’s position comes amid wider calls for restraint from political and religious leaders ahead of the 2027 polls. In August, President Bola Tinubu similarly urged political parties and candidates to avoid ethnic and religious sentiments and concentrate on presenting ideas and policies to voters.

Okoh further said CAN would not become a partisan political organisation, stressing that its relationship with government would remain based on 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,” he said.

He added that the association would support government policies that promote Nigerians’ welfare while speaking out whenever citizens’ rights were threatened or government failed to protect them.

“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,” he stated.

On the economic situation, Okoh expressed concern over the rising cost of living, unemployment and the difficulties confronting families and small businesses.

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

The CAN president also linked the economic situation to the quality of leadership emerging through elections, saying Nigeria needed public office holders who understood that political office was a trust rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment.

On insecurity, he called for stronger measures to protect lives and property, saying citizens should not have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers simply to remain alive.

While acknowledging efforts by President Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, Okoh said more needed to be done by security agencies to prevent attacks.

He also called for greater participation of communities and civil society organisations in early-warning systems, stressing that “early warning must lead to early response.”

On CAN’s engagement with the government, Okoh said the association would continue to defend the rights and welfare of Christians while rejecting religious hatred and political violence.

He said defending Christians did not mean fighting government or hating Muslims, adding that CAN would speak whenever any Nigerian was attacked on account of faith, ethnicity or political persuasion.

“No Nigerian should be denied an opportunity, discriminated against or threatened simply because of religion,” he said.

Okoh also urged political leaders to ensure that young Nigerians were not treated merely as electoral crowds, but as stakeholders in the country’s future.

He said democracy went beyond periodic elections to include respect for the rule of law, fundamental rights, accountability, inclusion and credible institutions.

“Those who win must govern for all. Those who lose must respect the democratic process. And citizens must never be treated as enemies because of the choices they make at the ballot box,” he said.

The CAN president said the association’s 50th anniversary should mark a renewed commitment to national development, stronger institutions, peaceful political engagement and greater participation of youths and women in leadership.

He said CAN would continue to engage other faith communities, particularly through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.

The association was established in 1976 and is marking five decades of Christian unity and engagement with national affairs. Its anniversary programme includes a road walk, crusade, football competition, ecumenical workshop, Bible quiz, community responsibility project, women and youth assembly, colloquium, music cantata and anniversary thanksgiving.