CAN Warns Against Using Jesus in 2027 Politics, Says No Politician Is Messiah

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned politicians and their supporters against presenting any political candidate as a messiah ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, issued the warning while reacting to recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, who referenced Jesus Christ while making a political argument involving former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the 2027 presidential election.

The Christian body said the development highlighted the need for Christians to separate their political preferences from their faith and reverence for Jesus Christ.

According to Okoh, Christians have the freedom to support or criticise any political candidate, but religious beliefs should not be used as a weapon in partisan political disputes.

“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another.”

The CAN president added that Christians could support candidates across political parties without equating them with Jesus Christ.

“We are free to support Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu or any other candidate. We are equally free to criticise them.”

Okoh stressed that no politician should be regarded as the Messiah, regardless of the candidate’s political promises, popularity or support among Christians.

The warning comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with politicians, supporters and political groups increasingly using social media to promote their preferred candidates and debate Nigeria’s political future.

CAN’s position also comes amid growing discussions among Christian communities about the relationship between faith and political participation, particularly as supporters seek to mobilise voters around candidates they believe represent their interests and values.

The association urged Christians to exercise political choices responsibly while maintaining the distinction between support for a political candidate and devotion to Jesus Christ.