The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged politicians and their supporters to refrain from dragging the name of Jesus Christ into partisan political arguments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning in a statement issued on Wednesday, following comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political point involving former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and the 2027 elections.
Okoh acknowledged that political discussions could be passionate, noting that such comments might have been intended to make a point.
However, he urged Christians and other Nigerians to exercise restraint when bringing religious figures into political debates.
He stressed that Jesus Christ should not be presented as a political candidate, campaign slogan or weapon to promote the interests of one politician against another.
“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another,” Okoh said.
The CAN president warned that political loyalty should not become so intense that supporters begin to describe politicians in ways that diminish the reverence due to Christ.
He said Nigerians were free to support or criticise any candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, but urged citizens to focus political debates on issues affecting the country.
«“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.»
Okoh called on political actors and their supporters to centre electoral discussions on competence, character, policies, performance and the future of Nigeria rather than religiously charged partisan rhetoric.
He also stressed that no politician should be regarded as the Messiah and that no political party could claim to represent 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 the country approaches another electoral season, the CAN president urged politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to conduct political conversations responsibly and respectfully.
«“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,” Okoh added.»
