The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against using the name of Jesus Christ in partisan political arguments ahead of the 2027 general election.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the warning in a statement yesterday following recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee. Oruche had mentioned Jesus Christ while discussing Labour Party’s Peter Obi and the 2027 election.
Okoh said political debates could be strong, but religious matters should not be mixed with partisan politics.
“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another,” Okoh stated.
He said Nigerians were free to support Obi, Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Tinubu, or any other candidate. However, he warned against giving politicians a status that belongs only to God.
The CAN president also cautioned against “messianic politics” and descriptions that blur the difference between political leadership and spiritual salvation.
He said, “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 urged Nigerians to focus on competence, character, policies, performance and the future of Nigeria.
“Let us argue about competence, character, policies, performance and the future of Nigeria,” he said. “Let us disagree passionately if necessary, but let us leave Jesus Christ out of our partisan quarrels,” Okoh added.
