Enugu CAN Disowns APC Campaign Council List, Says Leaders Were Not Consulted Over Inclusion
Enugu CAN Disowns APC Campaign Council List, Says Leaders Were Not Consulted Over Inclusion
CAN Enugu said neither the association nor the affected religious leaders were consulted before their names appeared on the list.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, has distanced itself from a circulating list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council in the state, insisting that neither the association nor the Christian leaders named in the publication endorsed the ruling party.
In a disclaimer issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Rev. Innocent Offor, the association described the inclusion of its leaders in the APC campaign council as unauthorised.
A copy of the statement was obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday.
The clarification followed an earlier SaharaReporters report on a campaign council list that surfaced on social media, which purportedly named His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and state Chairman of CAN, alongside other CAN officials and Christian religious leaders as members of the APC campaign structure in Enugu State.
However, CAN Enugu said neither the association nor the affected religious leaders were consulted before their names appeared on the list.
“For the avoidance of doubt, CAN Enugu wishes to state categorically that neither the Association nor the named religious leaders were consulted before the publication of the said list,” the statement read.
The Christian body stressed that it did not authorise, endorse or consent to the inclusion of its leadership in the campaign council, warning that the publication should not be interpreted as evidence of its political affiliation or participation in partisan politics.
It explained that CAN is a religious organisation committed to promoting Christian unity, values and the spiritual and moral welfare of its members.
The association added that its membership cuts across different Christian denominations and includes people with diverse political affiliations and convictions.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is a religious organisation which, since its inception, has been committed to the unity of Christians and the promotion of Christian values as well as working towards the spiritual and moral welfare of the faithful. Our membership cuts across different Christian denominations and encompasses individuals with diverse political affiliations and convictions. As an organisation, CAN must remain a unifying platform for Christians, irrespective of their political leanings,” it stated.
CAN Enugu warned that associating Christian leaders with a particular political party without their consent could create unnecessary divisions within the Church and undermine the unity and impartiality expected of religious leaders.
The association consequently dissociated itself from the campaign council list and urged members of the public, particularly Christians, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of the names amounted to an endorsement of the APC by CAN or the affected church leaders.
“CAN Enugu therefore dissociates itself from the said publication and urges the public, particularly members of the Christian community, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of these names represents the endorsement or participation of CAN Enugu or the affected Church leaders in the APC campaign council,” the statement added.
It also called on those responsible for publishing the list and relevant authorities to acknowledge its clarification and take steps to correct the impression created by the publication.
Reaffirming its non-partisan position, the association said: “The Church belongs to Christ and must remain a home for all, irrespective of political affiliation.”
