CAN disowns Archbishop Chianson over Tinubu’s 2027 re-election endorsement

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson over his recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027, insisting that he has no mandate to speak on behalf of the association.

CAN, in a statement on Wednesday signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, clarified that Chianson is not its General Secretary and has no authority to represent the Christian body.

The association said the clarification became necessary following attempts by Chianson and the group he represents to portray him as CAN’s General Secretary and associate the umbrella Christian body with political mobilisation in support of a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf.

“Furthermore, the group he represents has no official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with CAN,” Okoh stated.

The association stressed that it had neither authorised nor endorsed Chianson or his group to organise, promote or undertake any political mobilisation in its name.

“Any political position, endorsement or activity attributed to them must not be mistaken for the position or activities of the Association,” the CAN president added.

Okoh said CAN, as the umbrella organisation representing Christians across Nigeria, had a responsibility to protect the interests of the Christian community and contribute to national development.

He warned that the association would not allow individuals or groups without official ties to it to appropriate its identity or exploit its name for political or personal interests.

Reaffirming CAN’s political neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, Okoh said the association would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, regardless of party affiliation.

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“CAN will continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing or mobilising support for any political party or candidate,” he said.

The CAN president urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard claims of official representation of the association by Chianson or his group.

He also called on media organisations to verify the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of CAN, adding that the association would take appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation.

Chianson, who is the Secretary-General of the Charismatic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), had recently declared that President Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027, claiming that the prediction was based on a divine revelation to him and members of his group.

Speaking during an interview, the cleric described his declaration as a prophetic message, insisting that the President would not only win the election but also perform better in his second term.

“What we said about President Tinubu was a prophetic message. God told us President Tinubu will win. He’s not only going to win, he will perform better,” Chianson said.

He, however, maintained that his group would continue to speak truth to power and communicate its concerns to the President despite its support for his re-election.

“Yes, we speak truth to power. But that does not mean that when we want to talk to the President, we should behave like village headmasters toward the President or the nation. Our Constitution is the Bible that guides what we do and say,” he stated.

Chianson and members of his group have also been organising prayer sessions for the success of the Tinubu administration, further reinforcing their public support for the President ahead of the 2027 elections.