The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has called on Christian leaders to speak out against injustice, defend vulnerable citizens and demand accountability from government authorities.
Okoh warned that the Church must not sacrifice its moral responsibility to protect the interests of the people on the altar of political convenience or personal interests.
He made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja during the celebration of CAN’s 50th anniversary, where he urged the Church to adopt a courageous, constructive and evidence-based approach to national issues.
According to the CAN president, the Church must maintain its independence, support government policies that improve citizens’ welfare and speak up when those in authority fail to meet their responsibilities.
“The Church must maintain its independence, support policies that benefit the people and speak out when the government falls,” Okoh said.
Okoh highlighted several groups whose challenges, he said, should remain a priority for the Church as it carries out its responsibility to society.
They include internally displaced persons, children who are out of school, unemployed youths, farmers prevented from accessing their farmlands because of insecurity, women experiencing violence and victims of human trafficking.
He urged Christian leaders to ensure that the concerns of these groups receive attention, stressing the need for the Church to stand with Nigerians facing hardship and injustice.
The CAN president’s remarks underscored the role he believes religious institutions should play in advocating for citizens’ welfare and drawing attention to pressing social challenges.
Church Must Avoid Partisan Politics
While urging the Church to challenge injustice, Okoh cautioned against interpreting its responsibility as an obligation to oppose every government decision.
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He maintained that Christian leaders must distinguish between legitimate criticism and political opposition, warning against turning the Church into a platform for partisan interests.
Okoh also emphasised the importance of accuracy and fairness when addressing national issues, saying religious leaders should base their interventions on evidence rather than personal disagreements with political officeholders.
“A responsible watchman must be accurate. He should not raise alarm simply because he dislikes a policy or disagrees with a political leader,” he said.
