The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has warned political actors to be religiously sensitive and not use Jesus Christ in their politicking.
The warning is coming on the heels of the 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.
The CAN in a statement by its national president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said that while political discourse can be passionate and that such remarks may be intended to make a point, it has become “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.”
Okoh noted “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.”
According to him, everyone “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.
“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.”
Okoh stressed that “no politician is the Messiah. No political party represents the salvation of the human spirit that Christ epitomizes. And no electoral victory is worth compromising the honour due to His name.”
He urged politicians, their supporters and all Nigerians to conduct political conversations with responsibility, restraint and respect for what is sacred.
