BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has urged the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, to reject the appointment of any serving CAN official to the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
The forum said the involvement of serving CAN officials in partisan politics could undermine the neutrality, credibility and moral authority of the Christian body.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, NOSCEF said CAN, as the umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, should remain independent of partisan politics and preserve the confidence of Christians regardless of their political affiliations.
NOSCEF was reacting to the reported listing of Rev. Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite as number 172 on the APC campaign council document, where he was named Director of Faith-Based Mobilisation (Christian).
The forum noted that Adegbite is Chairman of CAN Lagos State, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), and Chaplain of the Villa.
It acknowledged the constitutional right of every citizen to participate in politics but said serving CAN officials should not hold positions in partisan campaign structures while occupying leadership positions in the association.
“CAN and its officers must remain neutral and above partisan politics. The association’s credibility, independence and moral authority could be compromised if serving officials become directly involved in political campaigns,” NOSCEF said.
The forum maintained that any CAN officer who wished to take an active role in a political party or campaign organisation should first resign from their position within the association.
The group called on Archbishop Okoh to intervene and ensure that no serving CAN officer participates in the APC campaign council.
NOSCEF also urged CAN leadership to take necessary steps to protect the reputation and institutional integrity of the association.
It said CAN’s influence and moral authority depended largely on its ability to remain fair and impartial in Nigeria’s politically charged environment.
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.
