The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN has said it will continue to engage constructively with the Federal Government while criticising it whenever policies or actions fail to protect citizens or violate their rights.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated this on Friday in Abuja at a press conference marking the association’s 50th anniversary, themed “Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN’s Journey.”

Okoh 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.

He said the association would support policies that promoted the welfare of Nigerians and cooperate with government where its partnership could contribute to good governance and development.

However, he said CAN would not remain silent when citizens suffered, injustice occurred or constitutional rights were threatened.

Okoh said the association respected the office of the President and government institutions, but its commitment to truth would not be compromised by political relationships.

He said CAN had over the years participated in national discussions on governance, democracy, religious freedom, insecurity, poverty and national development, while also providing humanitarian support to vulnerable communities.

The CAN president called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address insecurity, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality continued to affect communities.

He said attacks on places of worship, killings and abductions had displaced communities and forced some farmers away from their farmlands, worsening food insecurity.

Okoh urged the government to strengthen security systems to prevent attacks rather than merely respond after lives had been lost. He also called for closer cooperation among security agencies, communities and civil society organisations to identify emerging threats.

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

On concerns about the persecution of Christians, Okoh said CAN would continue to speak against attacks, discrimination and marginalisation affecting Christian communities, stressing that defending Christians should not be interpreted as hostility towards government or other religious groups.

He said CAN opposed religious hatred and supported the protection of every Nigerian irrespective of religious affiliation, urging citizens to speak whenever Christians, Muslims or other Nigerians were attacked.

Okoh also advised political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections to prioritise national interest and avoid exploiting religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments.

He called for campaigns centred on policies and ideas capable of improving Nigerians’ lives, while warning against hate speech, intimidation and electoral violence.

The CAN president further expressed concern over economic hardship, including rising living costs, unemployment and difficulties faced by families in meeting basic needs such as food, healthcare, education and housing.

He urged the government to promote productive economic activity, create jobs, support small and medium-sized enterprises and protect vulnerable citizens.

Reflecting on CAN’s 50-year history, Okoh said the association, established in 1976, had served as a platform for Christian denominations to address issues affecting the Church and the country.

He said CAN would use its golden jubilee to strengthen Christian unity, improve its administrative structures, promote interfaith engagement and expand its contribution to social development.

The association’s anniversary programme will include a road walk, crusade, football competitions, an ecumenical workshop, Bible quiz, community charity visit, women and youth assembly, colloquium and music cantata.

The activities are expected to culminate in an awards presentation and unveiling of a historical publication on October 17, followed by an anniversary church service and thanksgiving on October 18.