The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that it will not hesitate to criticise the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government whenever it fails to protect citizens, violates constitutional rights or implements policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerians.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, 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.”
Okoh said CAN would continue to engage the government constructively while maintaining its independence, stressing that the association was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation established to praise the government.
“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 said the association would support government policies that promote the welfare of Nigerians and cooperate with the government where necessary to deliver good governance and development to communities.
“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,” he said.
However, Okoh warned that CAN would not remain silent when citizens suffer, injustice occurs 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 CAN president said the association’s commitment to truth would not be compromised by its relationship with political leaders.
He said CAN respected the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the institutions of government, but would not subordinate its moral responsibility to political proximity.
“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.
The cleric said CAN’s responsibilities extended beyond religious activities to advocacy for good governance, protection of fundamental rights and humanitarian support for vulnerable communities.
He also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country, saying Nigerians continued to suffer from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality.
According to Okoh, places of worship had been attacked, worshippers killed or abducted and communities displaced, while farmers had been forced away from their farmlands, worsening the country’s food security challenges.
“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.
“Early warning must lead to early response,” he said.
He urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration with communities and civil society organisations to identify emerging threats and respond to them before they escalate.
While acknowledging efforts by President Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, Okoh said more needed to be done to improve the performance of security agencies across the country.
“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,” he said.
“Every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the end of killings in this nation.”
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 also urged the media and other stakeholders to avoid reducing every conflict in Nigeria to religious differences, noting that some incidents were also connected to ethnicity, land disputes, political power, criminality and competition for resources.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the CAN president called on political parties and candidates 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.
Okoh 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,” he said.
The CAN president 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.
The CAN president said the association would continue to deepen Christian unity, strengthen engagement with other stakeholders and remain committed to issues affecting the welfare, security and rights of Nigerians.
He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to speaking on national issues while maintaining its independence and engaging the government based on principles rather than political considerations.