CAN Tells Government to Make Life Easier, Warns Politicians Over Religion

(CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh. Photo Credit: CAN)

The Christian Association of Nigeria has asked the Federal Government to make lower food, transport and energy costs a priority as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

It also wants stronger social protection and better security, saying the gains of economic reforms must show up in the daily lives of citizens.

CAN said this in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Thursday.

It said it welcomes the shift from an era of reforms to an era of prosperity, which President Bola Tinubu announced in his Independence Day broadcast.

But it said the real test of progress is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety and every child gets a fair chance in life.

The association said Nigerians who have endured years of economic pressure deserve real relief, and that prosperity that does not reach the ordinary home remains incomplete.

Okoh also called for stronger support for vulnerable Nigerians, including help with education, healthcare and affordable credit.

CAN said such programmes must be run openly and protected from diversion.

On insecurity, he said prosperity will be hard to achieve where people cannot farm, trade, travel or sleep in peace because of fear.

He urged the government to keep protecting lives and communities.

With the 2027 political season close, CAN warned politicians not to use religion for their own gain.

It said no politician is the Messiah, that Christians are free to support or criticise any candidate, and that the name of Jesus Christ must not be dragged into political rivalry.

The association said it will remain a non-partisan moral voice.

Meanwhile, the Borno State CAN chairman, Most Revd John Bakeni, said religious leaders are part of Nigeria's problem.

He spoke in Maiduguri at an Independence Day event marking CAN at 50.

He said many pastors and imams have swapped their religious garments for political ones and failed to speak truth to power.

He said religious leaders must be voices of truth and justice and must call out those in authority when things go wrong.

He described this year's celebration as a sober one because of hardship and insecurity, and urged the government to make policies that ease the suffering of the people.

He said the country has the resources to care for its people, but the problem is poor management.

On the 2027 elections, Bakeni urged Nigerians to vote based on their own judgment without waiting for anyone to tell them who to pick.

He said the voters card is their strongest weapon for bringing in leaders who will deliver for the people.