African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed support for the Christian Association of Nigeria over its concerns regarding the worsening security situation across the country.
CAN had, during the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, raised alarm over the increasing cases of kidnappings and attacks targeting churches, schools and vulnerable communities. The association, led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security and take urgent steps to address the crisis.
The Christian body also advocated a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security framework. It urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve collaboration among security agencies, enhance operational efficiency and ensure greater accountability in efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. CAN further encouraged citizens to defend themselves within the bounds of the law.
Reacting in a post on X on Wednesday, Atiku said he welcomed the unified stance taken by Christian leaders in drawing attention to the country’s security challenges.
He said, “I have just read the communique released by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) under the leadership of His Grace Archbishop Daniel Okoh from the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit and I align with the concern and sympathies of the Church in Nigeria over the security of the lives of Nigerians.
“The demand for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime, are all fully in line with my position on the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government.
“It is encouraging for Nigerians to see Christians from various denominations and blocs unite in this spiritual wake-up call upon the political leadership to do better.
“From the Catholic Secretariat to the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), the Organisation of African Instituted Churches to the TEKAN/ECWA and other Christian blocs in Nigeria, the declaration of a three-day period of national mourning should serve as moments of reflection for all political leaders, especially those in power with the responsibility to do better by Nigerians.”
The former Vice President also urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to appeals from both religious groups and opposition figures calling for stronger action to safeguard lives and property across the country.
According to Atiku, “As insecurity ravages without concern for religious or ethnic differences which have been made more glaring by the 360 degrees failure of the incumbent government, I commend this noble effort to hold the ruling party accountable and encourage solidarity from all Nigerians in this regard. I enjoin other faith organisations especially of the Muslim block to lend their voices to this wake-up call.
“On behalf of the political opposition whom Tinubu has ignored as well as the Nigerian people, I urge Tinubu to listen to this urgent call from CAN and diligently ponder his courses of action beyond rhetorics, at least for his remaining months in office,” he stated.
