“Silence in Politics may cost Christians their rights” – Niger CAN Chairman warns

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State, Most Rev Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has warned Christians against political apathy, saying their continued silence could deepen their marginalisation in the state.

Yohanna stated this while speaking with journalists in Minna, urging Christians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, participate actively in politics and vote for candidates of their choice ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Our lives begin to end when we become silent over things that matter. Politics is not about a particular person. I call on groups and every Christian to participate in politics,” he said.

The CAN chairman, who is also the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, expressed concern over what he described as disparities in political appointments and selections, as well as insecurity, saying Christians must wake up and become part of the political process.

“If Christians do not get involved in politics, politics may soon erase our rights to be Christians,” Yohanna warned, urging Christians to begin consultations and position themselves to contest elective offices or participate actively in electioneering.

He said political apathy should not be mistaken for protest, insisting that Christians who refuse to vote would have little basis to complain about the government that emerges from the process.

According to him, “No voting at all is not a protest. It is a surrender, which of course, is a defeatist mentality. If you do not vote, then you have lost the right to complain”.

Yohanna disclosed that the Christian community in Niger State had five blocs covering the 25 local government areas, with coordinators holding meetings and seminars to sensitise members on political developments and the importance of participation.

The cleric also urged eligible Christians to obtain their PVCs, saying mobilisation was already ongoing through churches, meetings and other gatherings across the state.

“INEC will not count on your prayers but only your votes. Prayer is good, but voting during elections and backed with prayer is better,” he insisted.

Also speaking, 87-year-old Peterson Kaura, a retired civil servant and former Chairman of the Niger State Local Government Service Commission, urged Christian youths to reject the notion that politics is inherently dirty.

“Politics is not dirty; it is the operators or those involved that are making it look dirty. As Christians, go into it and make it clean that the favour I want from them. You can’t stay by the side and keep complaining every now and then,” Kaura argued.

The retired elder challenged Christian youths to contest from the ward level to the state and federal levels, saying their participation would give them an opportunity to influence decisions and bring the values of honesty, transparency and service into governance.

He also urged political leaders at all levels to govern for the benefit of all citizens, irrespective of who voted for them.