The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson over his recent declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections, insisting that he is neither the association’s General Secretary nor authorised to speak or act on its behalf.
CAN, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said Chianson had no mandate to represent the association or associate the umbrella Christian body with any political endorsement or mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The association said the clarification became necessary following attempts by Chianson and the group he represents to present him as CAN’s General Secretary and link the organisation to a purported church mobilisation in support of a political candidate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf.
“Furthermore, the group he represents has no official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with CAN,” Okoh said.
CAN stressed that it had neither authorised nor endorsed Chianson or his group to organise, promote or undertake any political mobilisation in the association’s name.
The Christian body warned that any political position, endorsement or activity attributed to the archbishop and his group should not be interpreted as the official position of CAN.
“Any political position, endorsement or activity attributed to them must not be mistaken for the position or activities of the Association,” Okoh added.
Explaining its position, CAN said that as the umbrella organisation representing Christians across Nigeria, it had a responsibility to protect the interests of the Christian community and contribute objectively to national development.
It maintained that it would not allow individuals or groups without official connections to the association to appropriate its identity or exploit its name to advance political or personal interests.
Reaffirming its political neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, CAN said it would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“CAN will continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing or mobilising support for any political party or candidate,” the statement said.
Okoh urged members of the public, particularly Christians, as well as media organisations, to disregard claims by Chianson or his group that they officially represent CAN.
He also called on media organisations to exercise due diligence by verifying the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association.
The CAN president further warned that the organisation would take all appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation and misrepresentation.
The clarification follows Chianson’s public declaration that President Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, a prediction he attributed to a message from God.
Chianson, who is the Secretary-General of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), had reportedly declared his group’s support for Tinubu’s re-election, describing the position as a prophetic message.
Speaking during an interview, the archbishop insisted that the President would not only secure victory in the 2027 elections but would also perform better if given another term in office.
“What we said about President Tinubu was a prophetic message. God told us President Tinubu will win. He’s not only going to win, he will perform better,” Chianson said.
He, however, maintained that his group’s support for Tinubu would not prevent it from holding the President accountable or speaking out about challenges facing the country.
According to him, supporting the President’s re-election does not mean abandoning the responsibility to speak truth to power.
“Yes, we speak truth to power. But that does not mean that when we want to talk to the President, we should behave like village headmasters toward the President or the nation. Our Constitution is the Bible that guides what we do and say,” he said.
Chianson and members of his group have also reportedly organised prayer sessions seeking the success of the Tinubu administration.
However, CAN’s latest statement has drawn a clear distinction between the political position of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and that of the wider Christian association, insisting that neither Chianson nor his group has the authority to speak for or represent CAN.
The association maintained that it would remain politically neutral and would not endorse any presidential candidate or political party, or mobilise Christians in support of any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.