CAN warns politicians against invoking Jesus in partisan campaigns

The Christian Association of Nigeria has drawn a religious boundary around Nigeria’s political debate: politicians may be praised or criticised, but Jesus Christ should not become a campaign instrument.

CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh issued the warning on Wednesday in response to comments by Precious Oruche, known as Mama Pee, who referred to Jesus while making a political point about Peter Obi and the 2027 elections.

Okoh said political discussions can be passionate, but Christians should show restraint when invoking Christ’s name. “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 said.

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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 said Nigerians were free to support Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu or any other candidate, and were equally free to criticise them. But he warned that political loyalty should not diminish 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,” Okoh said. He urged politicians and their supporters to debate competence, character, policies, performance and Nigeria’s future, adding that no politician is the Messiah and no electoral victory justifies compromising the honour due to Jesus’ name.

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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.