CAN Is Not a Political Platform, We Won’t Use the Pulpit for Politics — Rev. Ugbede Warns Benue Politicians

Leave CAN Alone, We Would Not Use the Pulpit for Politics, Rev. Ugbede Warns Benue Politicians
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State chapter, has cautioned politicians and the general public in the state to go about their activities without dragging the association into partisan politics.

The Deputy Chairman of CAN in Benue, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede, gave the warning on Tuesday, stressing that the body remains apolitical and will not allow its pulpit to be used for political purposes.
Ugbede spoke while receiving a Certificate of Commendation from the Middle Belt Media Practitioners in Nigeria in collaboration with the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations at the CAN Secretariat in Makurdi. He maintained that CAN is not a political platform and should not be used to advance partisan interests.
He said, “Christian Association of Nigeria is not a political party. We are not partisan and we do not want to be dragged into politics.”
He explained that while individual Christians may belong to different political parties, the association itself must remain neutral.
“Every politician that is a Christian is a member of our church. You will find people from different parties among us, but that does not mean we should use the pulpit for politics,” he said.
The deputy CAN chairman also dismissed reports that some pastors recently endorsed a politician for public office, describing such claims as misleading.
He said, “Yesterday I was told that 150 pastors gathered to endorse someone. I said they are not pastors. None of the recognised church leaders in Benue released their pastors to attend such a political gathering.”
Ugbede further warned that no individual or group should claim to speak on behalf of CAN without proper authorisation, noting that the association speaks collectively through its leadership.
“When CAN wants to make a statement, we do it collectively through our leadership,” he added.
He emphasised that the primary role of the association is spiritual, including praying for leaders and engaging them constructively rather than criticising them publicly.
“The Bible instructs us to pray for the government in power. If we have any counsel for the governor, we will invite him and discuss with him,” he said.
Ugbede dedicated the award to the Assistant Secretary of CAN in Benue State, “Apostle General” Mike Ihenacho, appreciating him for his support and guidance.
“I depend on him so much. This award, I first dedicate to him for his tireless support,” he said.
The CAN deputy chairman, who is also a pastor with the First Baptist Church, said he was surprised to receive the honour, noting that his involvement in interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding was a personal commitment to service.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Dr. Terwase Abigwa, National Secretary of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria and a member of the Middle Belt Media Practitioners, said the award was in recognition of Ugbede’s contributions to peace, justice and unity in Benue State.
Abigwa noted that Ugbede has consistently spoken against insecurity in the state and promoted interfaith dialogue and harmony among religious groups.
Also speaking, the Methodist Bishop of Makurdi and Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Rt. Rev. Edoka Amuta, who presented the award on behalf of the group, said Ugbede has shown strong leadership and the capacity to unite different blocs within CAN.
The Assistant CAN Secretary, Rev. Mike Nkiri, a pastor with the Organisation of African Instited Churches (OAIC), also praised Ugbede’s leadership, describing him as a man of few words whom God is using to achieve significant milestones in the association.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Dr. Timothy Kume, described the recognition as well deserved, saying, “If not because of him, the ship of CAN would have gone under.”