CAN to FG: Protect Nigerians without excuses

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has called on the Federal Government to urgently fulfil its constitutional and moral obligation to protect the lives and property of all citizens, insisting that Nigerians must no longer tolerate excuses amid worsening insecurity.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), held at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Wuse II, Abuja, Okoh said the demand for “justice and righteousness” has become pressing as communities continue to suffer attacks, displacement, and trauma.

He declared that the government has a constitutional, moral, and sacred responsibility to defend all Nigerians without discrimination or delay, adding that the Church must remain unwavering in its call for accountability.

Okoh urged the CCN, Nigeria’s oldest ecumenical body, to stand firmly with CAN and the broader Christian community in pressing for decisive action from authorities.

According to him, unity is crucial at this moment as both bodies work together to uphold the sanctity of human life and the dignity of citizens.

He commended the CCN for choosing the theme “Demand for Justice and Righteousness,” drawn from Amos 5:24, describing it as a timely message confronting the moral and social challenges facing the nation.

He noted that the prophet Amos condemned a society that prioritised religious rituals while abandoning justice, a warning he said resonates strongly in Nigeria today.

Okoh encouraged church leaders to speak boldly, defend the voiceless, and model a gospel that is practical, credible, and transformative.

He outlined four urgent expectations from the government: strengthening security in vulnerable communities, ensuring justice for perpetrators of violent crimes, supporting displaced families and rebuilding affected communities, and addressing the root causes of insecurity with courage.

The CAN President stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve a just and peaceful society while citizens live in fear.

He described the CCN as a beacon of Christian unity and a custodian of moral conscience, urging it to continue shaping national conversations on justice, peace, and governance.

He added that Christian witness will be judged not merely by prayers or church structures but by the commitment to justice, compassion, and righteousness.

Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s partnership with the CCN, pledging continued unity in defending the oppressed and promoting the values of God’s kingdom.