Tinubu, Atiku or Obi: CAN Announces Position on 2027 Election
- CAN said Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not its General Secretary and has no authority to speak or act on its behalf
- CAN said Chianson attempted to present himself as a CAN official and link the body to a church mobilisation for a political candidate amid the race between President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi
- CAN president Archbishop Daniel Okoh warned the public and media to disregard any claim of official CAN representation by Chianson or his group
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has publicly distanced itself from Archbishop Chivir Chianson, saying he does not hold any official position within the association and has no authority to represent or act on its behalf.
The clarification came in a statement signed by CAN's President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in response to Chianson's attempts to identify himself as the association's General Secretary and to link it to what he described as a church mobilisation effort in support of a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source: Twitter
This came amid the intense race between President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
CAN rejects unauthorised representation
Okoh's statement made clear that CAN had no official relationship with Chianson or the group he appeared to represent. The association said it would not stand by while individuals with no recognised standing within its structure used its name to pursue political or personal agendas.
CAN said it carries a responsibility to defend the interests of Christians across Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to national development, and that fulfilling that responsibility requires protecting its institutional identity from misuse.
The association urged members of the public, Christians in particular, as well as media organisations, to disregard any claim by Chianson or his group to speak for CAN in any official capacity.
CAN reaffirms political neutrality
Beyond addressing Chianson's actions directly, CAN used the statement to reaffirm its position of political neutrality as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. The body said it would take all necessary steps to guard its name and institutional integrity against those who seek to appropriate its identity without authorisation.
The association's leadership signalled that it was prepared to pursue whatever action was required to prevent further misrepresentation of its position or standing.
Source: Instagram
Analyst speaks on Tinubu's chances in 2027
Earlier, political analyst Omotayo Yusuf told Legit.ng that President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election approach differed sharply from his 2023 campaign strategy.
Yusuf said Tinubu was leaning on governors across party lines, including in Anambra and Osun, to secure support ahead of the election.
The analyst raised concerns about balancing campaign duties with governing responsibilities as Tinubu seeks a second term.
Source: Legit.ng
