CAN VOWS TO CRITICISE GOVERNMENT WHEN CITIZENS SUFFER, RIGHTS ARE THREATENED

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said it will continue to engage with government while criticising it whenever citizens are not adequately protected or their rights are threatened.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the declaration in Abuja while speaking at a press conference marking the association’s 50th anniversary.

The anniversary theme is “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

ValidViewNetwork reports that Okoh’s position places CAN’s relationship with government in two parts: cooperation where policies serve the public interest, and criticism where the association believes citizens are being harmed or constitutional rights are threatened.

“CAN IS NOT A GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION PARTY”

Okoh said the association was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation created to praise those in power.

“CAN is neither a government opposition party nor a government praise-singing organisation. We are a Christian institution with a national responsibility,” he said.

He said the association would support government where it considered policies beneficial to Nigerians.

“Where government policies promote the welfare of Nigerians, we will support them,” he said.

He added that CAN was prepared to partner government in delivering what he described as the dividends of democracy and good governance.

“WHERE GOVERNMENT FAILS, WE WILL SAY SO”

Okoh said the association would not remain silent when citizens suffer. “Where government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we will say so,” he said. He added: “Where injustice occurs, we will speak. Where constitutional rights are threatened, we will raise our voice. Where citizens are suffering, we cannot remain silent.”

ValidViewNetwork reports that the statement is significant because it comes as CAN begins its second half-century of national advocacy, with Okoh framing the association’s public role as one of engagement without political subordination.

“OUR LOYALTY TO TRUTH”

The CAN president said the organisation’s relationship with political leaders would not determine its position on national issues.

“We respect the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We respect the institutions of government,” he said. “But our loyalty to truth cannot be compromised or subordinated to political proximity.”

He said CAN had participated in national debates involving governance, democracy, religious freedom, insecurity, poverty and development.

CALL FOR ACTION ON INSECURITY

Okoh also called for stronger action against insecurity.He cited terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality as continuing threats to Nigerians.

He urged government to intensify efforts to protect citizens.

2027 ELECTIONS

With the 2027 elections approaching, Okoh urged political parties and candidates to focus on policies and ideas. He warned against using religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments as tools for political mobilisation.

“Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of violence; a competition for public service, not a licence for personal destruction,” he said.

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The statement is a political observation from CAN’s leadership, rather than an endorsement of any candidate or party.

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Okoh also addressed economic pressures affecting Nigerians. He cited the cost of living, unemployment and difficulties with food, healthcare, education and housing.

He urged government to stimulate productive economic activity, create jobs, support small and medium-sized enterprises and protect vulnerable citizens.

“Every economic policy must ultimately be judged by its impact on the people,” he said.

ValidViewNetwork reports that CAN’s position, as stated by its president, is one of conditional engagement: the association says it will cooperate with government where it considers policies beneficial, while retaining the right to criticise government actions it believes fail citizens or threaten constitutional rights.