CAN vows to challenge government failures to protect Nigerians

The Christian Association of Nigeria will criticise the Federal Government when it fails to protect citizens or violates their rights, its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said on Friday. Okoh made the remarks in Abuja at a press conference marking CAN’s 50th anniversary. He said the association would engage government constructively while retaining its independence and responsibility to speak against injustice, insecurity and policies that undermine Nigerians’ welfare.

The CAN president said the association was neither a political opposition party nor an organisation created to praise the government. He said it would support policies that promote public welfare and cooperate with authorities where partnership could help deliver good governance. However, Okoh said CAN would not remain silent when citizens suffered or constitutional rights were threatened.

He said the group’s loyalty to truth could not be subordinated to its relationship with political leaders, adding that doing so would abandon its moral responsibility to Nigerians. He called for intensified efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other crimes. According to Okoh, places of worship have been attacked, worshippers killed or abducted, communities displaced and farmers driven from their land, worsening food insecurity.

Okoh said the primary responsibility of government was to protect life and property, and that Nigerians should not have to negotiate with criminal groups simply to stay alive. He urged security agencies to work more effectively with communities and civil society organisations so that warnings could produce early action. While acknowledging efforts by President Bola Tinubu and his administration, Okoh said more needed to be done to improve the performance of security agencies.

He also said CAN would speak against attacks on Christians while opposing religious hatred and supporting protection for every Nigerian, regardless of faith.