The Christian Association of Nigeria will not hesitate to criticise the Federal Government whenever it fails to protect citizens or violates their rights, its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has said.

Okoh said the association would continue to engage government constructively while maintaining its independence and responsibility to speak against injustice, insecurity and policies that undermine the welfare of Nigerians.

The CAN president stated this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference to mark the association’s 50th anniversary, with the theme, “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

He said CAN was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation established to praise the government, stressing that its relationship with authorities was guided by principles rather than political convenience.

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

He added, “Where government policies promote the welfare of Nigerians, we will support them.

“Where government requires partnership to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to communities, CAN is available to cooperate.”

The cleric, however, warned that the association would not remain silent when citizens suffered or their constitutional rights were threatened.

“Where government makes progress, we will acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we will say so.

“Where injustice occurs, we will speak. Where constitutional rights are threatened, we will raise our voice. Where citizens are suffering, we cannot remain silent,” Okoh stressed.

According to him, CAN’s loyalty to truth cannot be compromised by its relationship with political leaders, adding that the association would continue to discharge its moral responsibility to the Church and the Nigerian people.

“We respect the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We respect the institutions of government.

“But our loyalty to truth cannot be compromised or subordinated to political proximity. To do so is to abdicate from our moral responsibility, and it will be a disservice to God and the people we serve,” he said.

Okoh, further in his remarks to mark the five decades of Christian unity and public engagement, said CAN has participated in national discussions on governance, democracy, religious freedom, insecurity, poverty and national development.

He said CAN’s role extended beyond religious activities to include advocacy for good governance, protection of fundamental rights and humanitarian support for vulnerable communities.

The association’s president also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, noting that Nigerians continued to suffer from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality.

He said places of worship had been attacked, worshippers killed or abducted, and communities displaced, while farmers had been forced away from their farmlands, worsening food insecurity.

“CAN therefore repeats its call to government that the primary responsibility of government is to protect life and property. Citizens should never have to negotiate with terrorists, bandits or kidnappers simply to remain alive,” he said.

Okoh called for a security system capable of preventing attacks rather than merely responding after lives had been lost.

“Early warning must lead to early response,” he said, urging security agencies to work more effectively with communities and civil society organisations to identify emerging threats.

While acknowledging the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and his team to reduce insecurity, the CAN president said more needed to be done to improve the performance of security agencies.

“We acknowledge the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team to reduce the level of violence and insecurity in the nation, but we believe that more could be done to improve the services of security agencies in Nigeria. Every Nigerian is looking forward to seeing the end of killings in this nation,” he said.

On the debate surrounding the persecution of Christians, Okoh said CAN would continue to draw attention to attacks, discrimination, marginalisation and other violations affecting Christian communities.

He, however, said defending Christians should not be interpreted as hostility towards the government or other religious groups.

“Defending Christians does not mean fighting the government. It does not mean hating Muslims or any other religious community,” he said.

He maintained that the association opposed religious hatred and supported the protection of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious affiliation.

“When a Christian is attacked because of his faith, we will speak. When a Muslim is attacked because of his faith, we should speak.

“When an innocent Nigerian is killed by terrorists, bandits or criminals, we must all speak,” Okoh said.

He urged the media and other stakeholders to avoid reducing every conflict in the country to religious differences, noting that some incidents also involved ethnicity, land disputes, political power, criminality and competition for resources.

The CAN president further called on political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to prioritise national interest and avoid using religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments to mobilise support.

He said political campaigns should focus on policies and competing ideas for improving Nigerians’ lives, warning against hate speech, intimidation and electoral violence.

“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.

Okoh also expressed concern about the economic hardship facing Nigerians, citing the rising cost of living, unemployment and the difficulties families encounter in meeting basic needs, including food, healthcare, education and housing.

He urged the government to pursue policies that would 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.

Reflecting on CAN’s 50-year history, Okoh said the association was established in 1976 to provide a common platform for Christian denominations to speak with one voice on issues affecting the Church and the country.

He said the association had recorded achievements in advocacy, international partnerships, peacebuilding, electoral observation and humanitarian interventions, while acknowledging internal disagreements and leadership tensions that required institutional reforms.

As CAN enters its next 50 years, he said, the association would focus on strengthening Christian unity, improving its administrative structures, promoting interfaith engagement and expanding its contribution to social development.

He also called for greater participation of women and young people in leadership, saying the future of the association depended on preparing the next generation.

Okoh said CAN’s golden jubilee was not a retirement celebration but an opportunity to renew its commitment to national development and responsible engagement with government.

“CAN at 50 is not a retirement celebration. It is a re-commissioning,” he said.

He further disclosed that the association’s anniversary activities will include a road walk, an anniversary crusade, football competitions, an ecumenical workshop, a Bible quiz, a community charity visit, a women and youth assembly, a colloquium and a music cantata.

The programme will culminate on October 17 with an awards presentation and the unveiling of a historical publication documenting CAN’s journey, followed by an anniversary church service and thanksgiving on October 18.