The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against invoking the name of Jesus Christ in partisan political battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, spoke in a statement on Wednesday while 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 urged Christians and other Nigerians to exercise restraint when invoking the name of Jesus in political debates, saying Christ should not be used as a political candidate, campaign slogan or weapon against opponents.
He said Nigerians were free to support or criticise politicians, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, but warned against allowing political loyalty to diminish the reverence due to Christ.
“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.
Okoh said no politician was the Messiah and no political party represented the salvation of the human spirit that Christ epitomises.
“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 said.
He urged politicians, their supporters and other Nigerians to conduct political debates responsibly and respectfully as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
