The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned politicians and their supporters against using the name of Jesus Christ in partisan political arguments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday amid controversy over a recent political comment by social media personality Precious Oruche, popularly known as Mama Pee.

Oruche had sparked reactions after suggesting that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, could defeat Jesus Christ in an election because of his popularity.

Reacting to the controversy, Okoh urged Christians and other Nigerians to exercise restraint when discussing politics, stressing that Christ should not be used to advance the interests of any politician.

He said Jesus Christ was not a political candidate or campaign slogan and should not be turned into a tool for promoting one politician over another.

According to the CAN president, Nigerians have the right to support or criticise political figures, including Obi, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, but political allegiance should not override reverence for Christ.

Okoh urged Nigerians to centre political debates on competence, character, policies, performance and the future of the country rather than religious comparisons.

He also warned against portraying any politician as a messianic figure or attaching spiritual significance to electoral victories.

“No politician is the Messiah,” Okoh said, adding that no political victory was worth compromising the honour accorded to the name of Jesus Christ.

The CAN president subsequently called on politicians, their supporters and Nigerians generally to conduct political discussions with responsibility, restraint and respect as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

The controversy followed a viral comment by Oruche in response to social media commentator Emmanuel “Geh Geh” Obruste, who had argued that Obi could not defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair election.

Oruche defended Obi’s popularity by making the comparison involving Jesus Christ. She later denied blasphemy, claiming that the viral video had been edited and taken out of context.