By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid by a bishops’ group, insisting that the association has not endorsed any political candidate or party ahead of the general elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, also disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson, who allegedly presented himself as the association’s General Secretary, saying he had no authority to speak or act on its behalf.
Okoh made the clarification in a statement following the endorsement of Tinubu’s second-term ambition by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
The conference had announced its support for Tinubu’s re-election during its 2026 synod in September. Chianson serves as its Secretary-General.
However, CAN said the endorsement did not represent its institutional position, stressing that neither Chianson nor the group had been authorised to speak for the Christian body.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.
The association also distanced itself from a group allegedly using its name to mobilise support for a political candidate, maintaining that it had no institutional relationship with the organisation.
Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to political neutrality, declaring that the association would not endorse any political candidate or party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard claims suggesting that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN.
