The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned politicians and their supporters against invoking the name of Jesus Christ in partisan political debates ahead of the 2027 elections.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the association had taken note of recent comments by Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee, in which she referenced Jesus Christ while making a political point about Peter Obi and the 2027 election.

Okoh said while CAN recognises that political discussions could become passionate, Christians and other Nigerians should exercise restraint when making references to Christ in political arguments.

“Jesus Christ is not a political candidate, a campaign slogan or a weapon to advance one politician against another,” the association said.

“His name is sacred and should not be dragged into partisan contests in ways that elevate human beings, however popular or admired, to a place that belongs to God alone.”

The CAN president stressed that Christians remained free to support or criticise any political candidate, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu.

“We are free to support Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu or any other candidate. We are equally free to criticise them. But our political loyalty must never become so intense that we begin to speak of politicians in terms that diminish the reverence due to Christ,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to focus political debates on issues such as competence, character, policies, performance and the future of the country.

“Let us argue about competence, character, policies, performance and the future of Nigeria. Let us disagree passionately if necessary, but let us leave Jesus Christ out of our partisan quarrels,” Okoh added.

He further warned against presenting politicians as messianic figures, stressing that no electoral victory should come at the expense of reverence for Christ.

“No politician is the Messiah. No political party represents the salvation of the human spirit that Christ epitomises. And no electoral victory is worth compromising the honour due to His name,” he said.

As the 2027 elections approach, Okoh urged politicians, supporters and Nigerians generally to engage in political conversations with responsibility, restraint and respect for matters they consider sacred.