“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,” he said.
By Moses Okorie
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disowned Archbishop Chivir Chianson, declaring that he is neither its General Secretary nor authorised to speak on behalf of the association.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the clarification on Wednesday in Abuja in a statement issued by the association.
Okoh said the statement became necessary following attempts by Chianson and the group he represents to portray him as CAN’s General Secretary and link the Christian body to a purported church mobilisation in support of a political 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,” he said.
He added that the group represented by Chianson had no official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with the association.
The CAN president stressed that the association had neither authorised nor endorsed Chianson or his group to organise or promote any political mobilisation in its name.
He warned that political endorsements or activities attributed to the individual and his group should not be interpreted as the position of CAN.
Okoh said the association, as the umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, remained committed to protecting the interests of the Christian community and contributing to national development.
He cautioned individuals and groups against using CAN’s identity to advance personal or political interests without its authorisation.
Reaffirming the association’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, Okoh said CAN would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.
He maintained that the association would not endorse any political party or candidate or mobilise support for any contender in the forthcoming elections.
Okoh urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard claims that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN.
He also appealed to TVC News and other media organisations to verify the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association before granting them such recognition.
The CAN president said the association would take appropriate measures to safeguard its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation and misrepresentation.