The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has said defending Christians against persecution, discrimination and violence does not mean fighting government or promoting hatred against Muslims and other faith communities.
Okoh stated this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference to herald activities marking the 50th anniversary of CAN, where he reflected on the association’s five-decade journey and its role in the Nigerian project.
He stressed that CAN’s advocacy for the protection of Christians and freedom of religion should not be misconstrued as opposition to government or hostility towards other faiths.
According to him, CAN is neither a political opposition party nor a “praise-singing organisation”, but a Christian institution with a national responsibility to promote justice, peace, good governance and the wellbeing of citizens.
“Defending Christians does not mean fighting government. It does not mean hating Muslims or other communities. It does not mean religious hatred, and it does not mean that we are opposed to government merely for the sake of opposition,” he said.
Okoh said CAN recognised government as the institution responsible for maintaining order and protecting citizens, adding that the association would continue to engage authorities constructively whenever they sought partnership in advancing democracy, good governance and national development.
He, however, maintained that such cooperation would not prevent CAN from speaking out whenever citizens were endangered or their rights violated.
“Where government makes progress, we should acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we should say so. Where injustice and violations of rights occur, we must speak. Where citizens suffer, we cannot remain silent,” he said.
The CAN president also called for a broader understanding of insecurity and violence in Nigeria, warning against reducing every conflict to a Christian-versus-Muslim narrative.
He acknowledged that some conflicts had religious dimensions but noted that others were driven by factors including ethnicity, land disputes, political interests, criminality and competition over resources.
According to him, recognising the complexity of Nigeria’s conflicts would help stakeholders confront insecurity more effectively without diminishing the reality of persecution where it occurs.
Okoh said CAN’s position was anchored on the principle that every Nigerian had a right to life, dignity, security and freedom of religion or belief.
“If a Christian is attacked because of his faith, we must speak. If a Muslim is attacked because of his faith, we must speak. If an innocent Nigerian is killed by terrorists, bandits or criminals, we must speak,” he said.
He also called for equal citizenship, insisting that no Nigerian should be treated as a second-class citizen because of religion, ethnicity, state of origin or political affiliation.
On interfaith relations, the CAN president said Nigeria did not need Christian and Muslim communities to regard each other as permanent enemies, stressing that constructive engagement between faith communities could contribute to peace, humanitarian assistance, education and national development.
He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), saying the platform should be sustained and strengthened to promote peaceful coexistence.
Okoh also urged political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections to place Nigeria above political ambition and avoid weaponising religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments.
He said political campaigns should focus on competing ideas capable of improving citizens’ lives, while candidates and their supporters should discourage hate speech, incitement, intimidation and violence.
The CAN president said the association’s 50th anniversary was not merely an occasion to celebrate its history, but an opportunity to recommit itself to Christian unity, responsible public engagement, peacebuilding and service to Nigeria.
He said CAN would continue to defend the rights and welfare of Christians while working with government and other faith communities for the peace, security and development of the country.
