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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh to reject the appointment of any serving CAN official into the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, warning that such involvement could undermine the neutrality and credibility of the Christian body.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, NOSCEF said CAN, as an umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, must remain independent of partisan politics and preserve the confidence of Christians irrespective of their political affiliations.
The group stressed that while every Nigerian has a constitutional right to participate in politics, serving CAN officials should not simultaneously occupy positions in partisan campaign structures.
“CAN and its officers must remain neutral and above partisan politics,” NOSCEF said, arguing that the association’s credibility, independence and moral authority could be compromised if its serving officials become directly involved in political campaigns.
According to the group, any CAN officer who wishes to take an active role in a political party or campaign organisation should first resign from their position within CAN.
“While every citizen has the constitutional right to participate in politics, any CAN officer who chooses to take an active role in a political party or campaign structure should first resign from their position within CAN to avoid compromising the neutrality and integrity of the organization,” the statement said.
NOSCEF’s concern centres particularly on the reported inclusion of Rt. Rev. Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite as number 172 on the APC campaign council document, where he is listed as Director of Faith-Based Mobilisation (Christian).
The forum noted that Adegbite currently serves as Chairman of CAN Lagos State, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), and Chaplain of the Villa.
NOSCEF argued that the combination of these positions with an active role in a partisan campaign council could create a perception of political bias.
“Allowing serving CAN officials to participate in partisan political campaign structures creates a perception of bias and raises questions about the neutrality expected of the Christian body,” the forum said.
The group therefore urged the CAN President to intervene immediately and prevent any serving CAN officer from participating in the APC campaign council.
“We therefore call on the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria to act swiftly and decisively by rejecting the appointment of any serving CAN officer into a political party campaign council,” NOSCEF said.
It further urged the CAN leadership to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the reputation and institutional integrity of the association.
NOSCEF maintained that CAN’s influence and moral authority depend largely on its ability to remain fair and impartial in Nigeria’s politically charged environment.
“The integrity and trust placed in CAN by millions of Christians across Nigeria must be protected,” the statement said.
The forum also called on religious leaders and other stakeholders to uphold the principle that Christian leadership should serve the entire Christian community without being seen as aligned with any particular political party.
“We urge all stakeholders to uphold the principle that religious leadership should remain fair, impartial, and committed to serving the entire Christian community irrespective of political affiliation,” NOSCEF said.
