The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against dragging the name of Jesus Christ into partisan political battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning in a statement yesterday, following recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political point about Labour Party’s Peter Obi and the 2027 elections.
Okoh said political discussions could be passionate, but Christians and other Nigerians must exercise restraint in the way they invoke the name of Jesus Christ during political arguments.
According to him, Jesus Christ is neither a political candidate nor a campaign slogan or a tool for promoting one politician over another.
“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another,” he said.
The CAN president stressed that the name of Jesus Christ is sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests in ways that elevate politicians, regardless of their popularity, to a position reserved for God.
He said Nigerians were free to support Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Tinubu or any other candidate, just as they were free to criticise them.
However, Okoh warned against allowing political loyalty to become so intense that politicians were described in terms that diminish the reverence due to Christ.
He urged Nigerians to focus political debates on competence, character, policies, performance and the future of the country.
“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.
Okoh also cautioned against portraying any politician as a messianic figure, stressing that no politician or political party could provide the salvation associated with 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,” he said.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the CAN president called on politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to conduct political conversations responsibly and respectfully.
He urged all parties to maintain restraint and respect for what they hold sacred while engaging in political debates.
“God bless Nigeria,” Okoh added.
