RismadarVoice Reporters
September 2, 2026
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against dragging Jesus Christ into partisan politics ahead of the 2027 elections, declaring that “no politician is the Messiah.”
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, issued the warning in a statement following comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, who recently referenced Jesus Christ while making a political point about Peter Obi and the 2027 presidential race.
Okoh said the incident showed the need for Christians and political actors to separate political allegiance from their reverence for Christ.
“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another,” he said.
The CAN president stressed that Nigerians are free to support or criticise any political candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu.
“We are free to support Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu or any other candidate. We are equally free to criticise them,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to focus political debates on competence, character, policies, performance and the future of the country, rather than turning elections into personality contests or religious battles.
“Let us disagree passionately if necessary but let us leave Jesus Christ out of our partisan quarrels,” Okoh said.
CAN also cautioned against portraying political parties or electoral victories as having spiritual significance, stressing that no political contest should be equated with the salvation associated with Christ.
“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.
