The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has distanced itself from a cleric linked to the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, saying neither the cleric nor his group has the authority to speak or organise political activities on its behalf.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday, following public comments by Archbishop Chivir Chianson, who reportedly presented himself as the association’s General Secretary.
Okoh said Chianson had no official mandate to represent the Christian body and warned that political endorsements attributed to the cleric or his group should not be mistaken for CAN’s position.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.
The association also disowned a group allegedly using its name to mobilise support for a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Okoh, neither Chianson nor the group has an official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with CAN.
He said the association had not authorised, endorsed or mandated them to organise or promote political mobilisation in its name.
The clarification followed the endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where Chianson serves as Secretary-General.
The conference announced its support for the president during its 2026 synod in September.
Its President-General, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, had said the group would continue to support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy, describing the president’s policies as beneficial to the country.
However, CAN said the endorsement did not represent its institutional position.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to political neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections, saying it would continue to engage national issues and hold political leaders accountable regardless of their party affiliations.
“CAN will continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing or mobilising support for any political party or candidate,” the statement said.
The Christian body urged its members, the public and media organisations to disregard claims suggesting that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN.
It also called on television stations and other media organisations to verify the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association.
CAN said it would take appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday, following public comments by Archbishop Chivir Chianson, who reportedly presented himself as the association’s General Secretary.
Okoh said Chianson had no official mandate to represent the Christian body and warned that political endorsements attributed to the cleric or his group should not be mistaken for CAN’s position.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.
The association also disowned a group allegedly using its name to mobilise support for a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Okoh, neither Chianson nor the group has an official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with CAN.
He said the association had not authorised, endorsed or mandated them to organise or promote political mobilisation in its name.
The clarification followed the endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where Chianson serves as Secretary-General.
The conference announced its support for the president during its 2026 synod in September.
Its President-General, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, had said the group would continue to support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy, describing the president’s policies as beneficial to the country.
However, CAN said the endorsement did not represent its institutional position.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to political neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections, saying it would continue to engage national issues and hold political leaders accountable regardless of their party affiliations.
“CAN will continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing or mobilising support for any political party or candidate,” the statement said.
The Christian body urged its members, the public and media organisations to disregard claims suggesting that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN.
It also called on television stations and other media organisations to verify the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association.
CAN said it would take appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation.