The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, has issued a strong warning to Christians against political apathy. The body declared that continued silence and non-participation in the electoral process could lead to the total erasure of their rights and deepen marginalisation in the state.

The CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, gave this charge during an interactive session with journalists in Minna. He urged the Christian community to actively engage in politics, register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and strategically position themselves for the 2027 general elections.

Dr. Yohanna, who also serves as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, expressed deep worry over visible disparities in political appointments, lopsided selections, and the rising tide of insecurity. He challenged Christians to dismiss the old narrative that politics is ungodly, urging them to contest elective positions and participate fully in electioneering.

"Our lives begin to end when we become silent over things that matter," Yohanna stated, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. "If Christians do not get involved in politics, politics may soon erase our rights to be Christians."

Addressing the tendency of religious groups to rely solely on spiritual interventions during election cycles, the cleric clarified that faith must be backed by civic action.

He further argued that staying away from the polls is a defeatist strategy rather than a form of protest. According to him, anyone who deliberately refuses to vote forfeits the moral right to criticise or complain about the performance of the resulting government.

To ensure maximum compliance, the Niger State CAN revealed it has deployed structural machinery across its five distinct blocs, spanning all 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Local coordinators have already commenced rigorous sensitization seminars and town hall meetings to drive PVC registration and political awareness directly through local churches.

Corroborating the Bishop`s stance, an elder statesman and former Chairman of the Niger State Local Government Service Commission, 87-year-old Peterson Kaura, called on Christian youths to inject fresh values into the political landscape.

"Politics is not dirty; it is the operators that make it look dirty," Kaura said, challenging the younger generation to contest positions starting from the ward levels up to the federal stage. He noted that clean governance can only be achieved when people of integrity step away from the sidelines and take charge of policy decisions.

The leaders concluded by calling on current political office holders to govern equitably and protect the interests of all citizens, regardless of their religious leanings or political affiliations.