CAN URGES POLITICIANS, SUPPORTERS TO KEEP JESUS OUT OF 2027 CAMPAIGNS

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

The Christian Association of Nigeria has cautioned politicians and their supporters against invoking the name of Jesus Christ in partisan political arguments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, issued the warning on Wednesday while reacting to recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political argument concerning former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and the 2027 elections.

Okoh said although political discussions could become intense, Christians and other Nigerians should be careful about how they invoke the name of Christ in political debates.

He maintained that Jesus Christ should not be presented as a political instrument or used to promote one politician over another.

“I believe this is an appropriate moment to remind all of us, especially Christians, to exercise restraint in the way we invoke the name of Jesus Christ in political debates,” Okoh said.

According to him, the name of Jesus is sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests or used in a manner that elevates politicians to a position reserved for God.

“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another. His name is sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests in ways that elevate human beings, however popular or admired, to a place that belongs to God alone,” he said.

The CAN president stressed that Nigerians have the right to support or criticise any political candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, but warned that political loyalty should not override religious reverence.

“We are free to support Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu or any other candidate. We are equally free to criticise them. But our political loyalty must never become so intense that we begin to speak of politicians in terms that diminish the reverence due to Christ,” Okoh stated.

He urged politicians and their supporters to base their campaigns and political arguments on issues such as competence, character, policies, performance and their vision for Nigeria rather than religious symbolism.

“Let us argue about competence, character, policies, performance and the future of Nigeria. Let us disagree passionately if necessary, but let us leave Jesus Christ out of our partisan quarrels,” he said.

Okoh also warned against portraying politicians as messianic figures, insisting that no political leader or party should be presented as a substitute for Christ.

“No politician is the Messiah. No political party represents the salvation of the human spirit that Christ epitomises. And no electoral victory is worth compromising the honour due to His name,” he said.

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the CAN president urged politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to engage in political discourse responsibly and respectfully.

He called for restraint in political conversations, particularly when discussing issues that involve religious beliefs and values.