The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will continue to criticise the Federal Government whenever it fails to protect citizens, violates their rights or adopts policies that undermine their welfare, its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has said.
Okoh spoke on Friday in Abuja at a press conference marking CAN’s 50th anniversary, themed “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”
The CAN president said the association was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation established to praise the government, stressing that its relationship with authorities would remain guided by principles rather than political convenience.
“CAN is neither a government opposition party nor a government praise-singing organisation. We are a Christian institution with a national responsibility,” Okoh said.
He said CAN would support government policies that promote the welfare of Nigerians and cooperate with authorities where partnership could help deliver good governance and development to communities.
However, he said the association would not remain silent when citizens suffered or their constitutional rights were threatened.
“Where government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we will say so.
“Where injustice occurs, we will speak. Where constitutional rights are threatened, we will raise our voice. Where citizens are suffering, we cannot remain silent,” he said.
Okoh also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, saying Nigerians continued to face terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality.
He said attacks on places of worship and communities had resulted in deaths, abductions and displacement, while farmers had been forced away from their farmlands.
“CAN therefore repeats its call to government that the primary responsibility of government is to protect life and property. Citizens should never have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers simply to remain alive,” he said.
The CAN president called for a security system capable of preventing attacks rather than merely responding after lives had been lost.
“Early warning must lead to early response,” he said.
While acknowledging the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and his administration to reduce insecurity, Okoh said more needed to be done to improve the performance of security agencies.
On the debate over the persecution of Christians, he said CAN would continue to draw attention to attacks, discrimination and other violations affecting Christian communities.
He stressed that defending Christians did not mean fighting the government or promoting hatred against Muslims and other religious groups.
“When a Christian is attacked because of his faith, we will speak. When a Muslim is attacked because of his faith, we should speak.
“When an innocent Nigerian is killed by terrorists, bandits or criminals, we must all speak,” he said.
Okoh urged Nigerians and the media to avoid interpreting every conflict through a religious lens, noting that some disputes also involve ethnicity, land, political power, criminality and competition for resources.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, he urged political parties and candidates to focus on policies and competing ideas rather than exploiting religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments.
He also expressed concern about economic hardship, unemployment and rising living costs, urging government to create jobs, support businesses and protect vulnerable citizens.
Reflecting on CAN’s 50-year history, Okoh said the association had contributed to national discussions on governance, democracy, religious freedom, peacebuilding and humanitarian issues.
As CAN enters its next chapter, he said the association would focus on strengthening Christian unity, improving its structures, promoting interfaith engagement and expanding its contribution to social development.
“CAN at 50 is not a retirement celebration. It is a re-commissioning,” Okoh said.
