President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has said defending Christians against persecution, discrimination and violence does not amount to fighting the government or promoting hatred against Muslims and other faith communities.

Okoh stated this yesterday in Abuja at a press conference to herald activities marking CAN’s 50th anniversary, where he reflected on the association’s five-decade journey and its role in nation-building.

He said CAN’s advocacy for the protection of Christians and freedom of religion should not be misconstrued as opposition to government or hostility towards other faiths.

According to him, CAN is neither a political opposition party nor a “praise-singing organisation”, but a Christian institution with a national responsibility to promote justice, peace, good governance and citizens’ welfare.

“Defending Christians does not mean fighting government. It does not mean hating Muslims or other communities. It does not mean religious hatred, and it does not mean that we are opposed to government merely for the sake of opposition,” he said.

Okoh said CAN recognised government as responsible for maintaining order and protecting citizens, adding that the association would continue to engage authorities constructively in advancing democracy, good governance and national development.

He, however, stressed that cooperation would not prevent CAN from speaking out whenever citizens were endangered or their rights violated.

“Where government makes progress, we should acknowledge it. Where government fails to protect citizens, we should say so. Where injustice and violations of rights occur, we must speak. Where citizens suffer, we cannot remain silent,” he said.

The CAN president also called for a broader understanding of insecurity in Nigeria, warning against reducing every conflict to a Christian-versus-Muslim narrative.

He noted that while some conflicts had religious dimensions, others were driven by ethnicity, land disputes, political interests, criminality and competition over resources.

Okoh said recognising the complexity of Nigeria’s conflicts would help stakeholders tackle insecurity more effectively without diminishing the reality of persecution where it occurs.

He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to equal citizenship, saying every Nigerian has a right to life, dignity, security and freedom of religion or belief.

Okoh said CAN’s 50th anniversary was not merely a celebration of its history, but an opportunity to recommit the association to Christian unity, responsible public engagement, peace building and service to Nigeria. (The Sun)

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