The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson, saying he is not the General Secretary of the association and has no mandate to speak on its behalf.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said this on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement issued by the association.
CAN said the clarification became necessary following attempts by Chianson and the group he represents to present himself as CAN General Secretary and associate the Christian body with a purported church mobilisation in support of a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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“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 said.
He said CAN had not authorised, endorsed or mandated the individual 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,” he added.
Okoh said that, as the umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, CAN has a responsibility to defend the interests of the Christian community and contribute to national development.
He said the association would not allow individuals or groups with no official relationship with it to appropriate its identity or exploit its name to advance political or personal interests.
Reaffirming the association’s political neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, Okoh said CAN would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation.
“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.
He urged members of the public, particularly Christians, as well as media organisations, to disregard any claim of official representation of CAN by the individual or his group.
Okoh also called on TVC News and other media organisations to exercise due diligence in verifying the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association.
He added that CAN would take all appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation and misrepresentation.
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