Archbishop Daniel Okoh says political loyalty must not elevate candidates to a position reserved for Christ, urges Nigerians to focus on competence, character and policies

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned 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, issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday following recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political argument concerning Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the 2027 elections.

Okoh said political discussions could naturally generate strong emotions and disagreements, but Christians and other Nigerians should exercise restraint and avoid dragging religious figures or sacred beliefs into partisan contests.

According to him, the name of Jesus Christ should not be turned into a political instrument, campaign slogan or means of promoting 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.

“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.”

The CAN president stressed that Nigerians have the constitutional and democratic freedom to support or oppose any political candidate, but political allegiance should not override religious reverence.

He specifically mentioned Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as examples of politicians whom Nigerians are free to support or criticise.

“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 said.

Focus campaigns on issues, CAN urges

Okoh urged politicians and their supporters to make issues rather than religious symbolism the centre of the 2027 campaign season.

He said debates should focus on the competence and character of candidates, their policies, records in office and their plans for addressing Nigeria's challenges.

“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.

The CAN president also cautioned against portraying politicians as messianic figures capable of providing salvation for the country or its people.

He noted that political leaders, regardless of their popularity, should not be presented in terms that could diminish the unique place Christians reserve for Jesus 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,” Okoh stated.

His comments come as political activities and alignments begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with politicians, political parties and support groups increasingly positioning themselves for the next general election.

The CAN president urged all stakeholders to approach the emerging political contest with responsibility and restraint, particularly in a country where religion remains an important part of public life.

He called on politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to maintain respect for what they consider sacred while engaging in political debates.

“As we approach another crucial electoral season, I urge politicians, their supporters and all Nigerians to conduct our political conversations with responsibility, restraint and respect for what we hold sacred,” he said.

CAN's warning underscores the association's position that religious faith should not be exploited as a tool for partisan mobilisation, even as Nigerians exercise their democratic rights to support candidates and participate in political campaigns.