The Christian Association of Nigeria has said it will continue to hold the Federal Government accountable whenever it fails to protect Nigerians or violates their fundamental rights.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made this known on Friday in Abuja while addressing journalists as part of activities marking the association’s 50th anniversary.
Okoh said the association would maintain a constructive relationship with the government while preserving its independence and speaking out against injustice, insecurity and policies that negatively affect Nigerians.
He stressed that CAN was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation created to commend the government, noting that its dealings with authorities would be guided by principles rather than political considerations.
“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 added, “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.”
The CAN president, however, said the association would not keep quiet whenever Nigerians were subjected to suffering or their constitutional rights were under threat.
“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 stressed.
According to him, CAN’s commitment to truth would not be compromised by its relationship with political leaders, adding that the association remained committed to its moral responsibility to the Church and Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
Speaking on CAN’s five decades of Christian unity and public engagement, Okoh said the association had contributed to national conversations on governance, democracy, religious freedom, insecurity, poverty and development.
He said CAN’s responsibilities went beyond religious activities to advocacy for good governance, the protection of fundamental rights and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
The cleric also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address insecurity, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other criminal activities continued to affect Nigerians.
He said attacks on places of worship had resulted in the deaths and abductions of worshippers, while communities had been displaced and farmers forced away from their farmlands, further worsening food insecurity.
“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 architecture that would prevent attacks rather than respond only after lives had been lost.
“Early warning must lead to early response,” he said, urging security agencies to strengthen collaboration with communities and civil society organisations to detect emerging threats.
While acknowledging measures taken by President Bola Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, the CAN president said more needed to be done to improve the effectiveness of security agencies.
“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. Every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the end of killings in this nation,” he said.
On concerns over the persecution of Christians, Okoh said CAN would continue to highlight cases of attacks, discrimination, marginalisation and other violations against Christian communities.
He, however, cautioned that defending Christians should not be construed as hostility towards the government or other faiths.
“Defending Christians does not mean fighting the government. It does not mean hating Muslims or any other religious community,” he said.
He said the association opposed religious hatred and remained committed to protecting 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,” Okoh said.
The CAN president also urged the media and other stakeholders to avoid attributing every conflict in Nigeria to religious differences, noting that ethnicity, land disputes, political interests, criminality and competition over resources could also contribute to conflicts.
He called on political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections to place national interest above the use of religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments as campaign tools.
According to him, campaigns should be centred on policies and ideas capable of improving the lives of Nigerians, while hate speech, intimidation and electoral violence should be avoided.
“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.
Okoh also raised concerns over the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, including the rising cost of living, unemployment and the challenges families face in accessing food, healthcare, education and housing.
He urged the government to implement measures that would boost productive economic activity, create employment opportunities, support small and medium-sized businesses and protect vulnerable Nigerians.
“Every economic policy must ultimately be judged by its impact on the people,” he said.
Reflecting on CAN’s history, Okoh said the association was established in 1976 to provide a platform for Christian denominations to speak collectively on issues affecting the Church and the nation.
He said CAN had contributed to advocacy, international partnerships, peacebuilding, electoral observation and humanitarian interventions over the years, while acknowledging internal disagreements and leadership challenges that required institutional reforms.
As the association begins its next 50 years, he said CAN would focus on strengthening Christian unity, improving its administrative structures, promoting interfaith engagement and increasing its contribution to social development.
Okoh also advocated greater involvement of women and young people in leadership, saying the association needed to prepare the next generation to take over its responsibilities.
He said the golden jubilee should not be viewed as a retirement celebration but as an opportunity for CAN to renew its commitment to national development and responsible engagement with government.
“CAN at 50 is not a retirement celebration. It is a re-commissioning,” he said.
The CAN president disclosed that anniversary activities would include a road walk, anniversary crusade, football competitions, ecumenical workshop, Bible quiz, community charity visit, women and youth assembly, colloquium and music cantata.
The activities are expected to end on October 17 with an awards ceremony and the unveiling of a historical publication documenting CAN’s journey, followed by an anniversary church service and thanksgiving on October 18.
