The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has cautioned political parties and candidates against exploiting religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments to gain political advantage ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Okoh gave the warning on Friday, October 2, in Abuja during a press conference marking CAN’s 50th anniversary, themed “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”
The CAN president called for issue-based political campaigns focused on practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than rhetoric capable of deepening religious, ethnic and regional divisions.
“Political parties and candidates must resist the temptation to weaponise religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments,” Okoh said, warning that Nigerians had witnessed enough bloodshed and division during previous election periods.
He urged political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters by discouraging incitement, hate speech, violence and intimidation.
According to him, Nigerians should be allowed to vote according to their conscience without coercion, intimidation or manipulation. “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 cautioned political actors against presenting any politician as a messianic figure or dragging the name of Jesus Christ into partisan politics.
He called on Nigerians to place the nation’s interests above political ambition as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The CAN president also used the occasion to renew the association’s call for stronger action against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
Nigerians have endured insecurity for more than a decade, with communities displaced and places of worship attacked. Okoh said the government has a primary responsibility to protect lives and property and that “early warning must lead to early response” rather than waiting until lives are lost before authorities act.
The CAN president also urged the media to avoid reducing every conflict in Nigeria to a simplistic Christian-versus-Muslim narrative, noting that some conflicts involve factors including ethnicity, land, political power and criminality.