CAN Warns Against Using Jesus for Politics

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against invoking the name of Jesus Christ to promote partisan political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning on Wednesday while reacting to recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, who referenced Jesus Christ while making a political statement about Peter Obi and the 2027 elections.

Okoh said while political discussions could be passionate, Christians must be careful not to turn the name of Christ into a political instrument or use it to promote one politician over another.

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“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 noted that Nigerians have the right to support or criticise any political candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, but political loyalty should not override reverence for Christ.

“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,” he added.

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Okoh urged political actors to focus their campaigns on competence, character, policies and performance rather than religious references.

“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.

He further cautioned against portraying politicians as messianic figures, stressing that no political victory should come at the expense of honouring Christ.

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“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,” Okoh stated.

He urged Nigerians to approach political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections with responsibility, restraint and respect for what they consider sacred.

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