CAN: No Politics, We’ll Speak Up Whenever Tinubu Govt Fails To Protect Nigerians
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that it will not remain silent whenever the Federal Government fails to protect Nigerians, violates constitutional rights or implements policies that undermine the welfare of citizens.
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 was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation established to praise the government, stressing that its engagement with the authorities would be guided by national responsibility and principle 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.»
According to him, the association would support government policies that promote the welfare of Nigerians and cooperate with government whenever such partnership could help deliver good governance and development to communities.
He, however, said CAN would equally hold the government accountable whenever citizens suffer or their 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,” Okoh said.
CAN: Loyalty To Truth Above Political Proximity
The CAN president said the association respected the office of the President and the institutions of government but would not allow political relationships to compromise its moral responsibility.
He maintained that CAN’s commitment to truth must remain independent of its relationship with political leaders.
“Our loyalty to truth cannot be compromised or subordinated to political proximity,” he said, warning that doing so would amount to abandoning the association’s responsibility to God and the Nigerian people.
‘Nigerians Should Not Negotiate With Criminals To Stay Alive’
On insecurity, Okoh urged the Tinubu administration to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality.
He said attacks on places of worship, killings and abductions, displacement of communities and the forced movement of farmers from their farmlands continued to threaten national security and food production.
CAN, he said, was reiterating its position that the primary responsibility of government was to protect lives and property.
“Citizens should never have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers simply to remain alive,” Okoh said.
He called for a security system capable of preventing attacks rather than responding only after lives had been lost.
According to him, “early warning must lead to early response,” urging security agencies to strengthen cooperation with communities and civil society organisations to identify and address emerging threats.
While acknowledging efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, Okoh said more needed to be done to improve the effectiveness of security agencies.
“Every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the end of killings in this nation,” he said.
CAN: Defending Christians Is Not Hatred For Muslims
Addressing concerns over alleged attacks, discrimination and marginalisation of Christians, the CAN president said the association would continue to speak whenever Christian communities were targeted.
He, however, stressed that defending Christians should not be interpreted as hostility towards 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 believed every Nigerian deserved protection 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 added.
He also cautioned against reducing every violent conflict in Nigeria to religion, noting that some disputes were driven by ethnicity, land-related disagreements, political interests, criminality and competition over resources.
CAN Warns Politicians Ahead Of 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Okoh urged political parties and candidates to place national interest above political ambition.
He called for issue-based campaigns and warned politicians against exploiting religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments to mobilise voters.
He also urged political actors to discourage 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.
CAN also expressed concern over the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, including rising living costs, unemployment and difficulties in accessing food, healthcare, education and housing.
Okoh urged the Federal Government to pursue policies that stimulate productive economic activities, create jobs, support small and medium-sized enterprises and protect vulnerable citizens.
“Every economic policy must ultimately be judged by its impact on the people,” he said.
The CAN president said the association would continue to engage government constructively while retaining its independence and speaking on issues affecting the security, welfare, rights and dignity of Nigerians.