The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has distanced itself from Archbishop Chivir Chianson, stating that he is not its General Secretary and has no authority to speak or act on behalf of the association.
CAN also disowned a group allegedly using its name to mobilise support for a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to political neutrality.
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday. He said neither Bishop Chianson nor the group he represents had any official affiliation or institutional relationship with the association.
Bishop Okoh stressed that CAN had not authorised, endorsed or mandated the cleric or his group to organise or promote any political activity in the association’s name.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.
The clarification followed public comments surrounding the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), whose Secretary-General is Archbishop Chianson.
In September, the President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the endorsement during the organisation’s 2026 synod.
Bishop Chianson was also reported to have predicted during a television appearance that Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, claiming that God had revealed the outcome to them. However, PUNCH Online said it could not independently confirm the statement.
Reaffirming CAN’s position, Archbishop Okoh said the association would continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing any political party or candidate.
The association urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard claims that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN.
It also called on TVC News and other media organisations to verify the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the association.
CAN added that it would take appropriate steps to protect its name and institutional identity against unauthorised representation.
