The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on churches across Nigeria to remain independent of political influence and to speak truth to power, emphasizing that faith leaders have a responsibility to promote civic accountability.
The call was made on Thursday during CAN’s Jubilee Colloquium, held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, during the association’s 50th anniversary.
The event, themed “Jubilee of Justice: Faith, Governance and the pursuit of Common Good in Nigeria” brought together church leaders, civil society representatives and public intellectuals to discuss the role of faith in addressing Nigeria’s governance and security challenges.
The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the church must remain independent of political power to be able to hold leaders accountable.
“We should commend government when it does what is right, cooperate where cooperation advances the common good, and challenge policies or actions that undermine justice, human dignity, constitutional order and citizens welfare,” he said.
He also encouraged Christians not to withdraw from public life but to contribute to national development by promoting justice and accountability.
The colloquium also focused on the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children affected by insecurity and gender-based violence.
The former National President of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Most Rev. Benebo Fubara-Manuel, also delivered a paper titled “Justice for the Vulnerable: Faith Response to GVB and Human Rights in the Context of Insecurity,” which called on churches to provide support, legal assistance and safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence.
Fubara-Manuel said religious leaders play a critical role in shaping society’s response to injustice and protecting vulnerable populations.
Also speaking on national cohesion, Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus, National Bloc Leader of TEKAN/ECWA, stressed the need for inclusion, civic responsibility and interfaith engagement to strengthen national unity.
He emphasized that rebuilding trust across Nigeria’s diverse communities was essential to achieving sustainable development and urged leaders to view public office as a responsibility to serve the common good.
The event also featured a panel discussion involving church leaders, legal practitioners and human rights advocates, who examined the role of faith institutions in good governance and national development.