CAN warns politicians against using Jesus’ name in campaigns

The Christian Association of Nigeria has warned politicians and their supporters against using the name of Jesus Christ to advance partisan political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday reacting to recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political point about Peter Obi and the 2027 elections.

Okoh said while political discourse could be passionate, Christians must exercise restraint in the manner in which they invoke the name of Christ during political debates.

He stressed that Jesus Christ should not be reduced to a political tool or used to promote one politician against another.

“I believe this is an appropriate moment to remind all of us, especially Christians, to exercise restraint in the way we invoke the name of Jesus Christ in political debates.

“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another. His name is sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests in ways that elevate human beings, however popular or admired, to a place that belongs to God alone.”

He added that the name of Jesus was sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests in ways that elevate politicians to a position reserved for God.

According to him, Nigerians are free to support any political candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, or criticise them, but political loyalty should not undermine reverence for Christ.

“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 urged politicians and their supporters to focus their campaigns on issues such as competence, character, policies and performance rather than invoking the name of Jesus in partisan arguments.

“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.

The CAN president further warned Nigerians against presenting politicians as messianic figures, saying no electoral victory was worth compromising the honour due to 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,” Okoh stated.

He urged politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to conduct political conversations responsibly and with restraint as the country approaches another electoral season.

“As we approach another crucial electoral season, I urge politicians, their supporters and all Nigerians to conduct our political conversations with responsibility, restraint and respect for what we hold sacred,” he said.