…Former VP commends church leaders’ 3-day mourning, calls for Muslim bloc solidarity_
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] over its call for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture, saying he aligns with the church’s “concern and sympathies” over the safety of Nigerians.
In a statement issued after reading the communique from CAN’s 2026 National Church Leaders Summit under Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Atiku said the demands made by church leaders reflect his own position on what he described as the “failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government” to secure the country.
CAN had called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in tackling terrorism, banditry and violent crime. The body also declared a three-day period of national mourning.
“It is encouraging for Nigerians to see Christians from various denominations and blocs unite in this spiritual wake-up call upon the political leadership to do better,” Atiku stated.
He listed CAN’s blocs involved in the summit, including the Catholic Secretariat, Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria [CPFN], Organisation of African Instituted Churches, TEKAN/ECWA and other Christian blocs.
“The declaration of a three-day period of national mourning should serve as moments of reflection for all political leaders, especially those in power with the responsibility to do better by Nigerians,” he said.
*“360 degrees failure” on security*
Atiku criticized the current administration, arguing that insecurity has continued “without concern for religious or ethnic differences which have been made more glaring by the 360 degrees failure of the incumbent government.”
He commended CAN’s effort to hold the ruling party accountable and urged solidarity from all Nigerians. He also called on Muslim faith organisations to join the call.
“I enjoin other faith organisations especially of the Muslim block to lend their voices to this wake-up call,” he said.
*Direct appeal to Tinubu*
Speaking on behalf of “the political opposition whom Tinubu has ignored as well as the Nigerian people,” Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to heed CAN’s message.
“On behalf of the political opposition whom Tinubu has ignored as well as the Nigerian people, I urge Tinubu to listen to this urgent call from CAN and diligently ponder his courses of action beyond rhetorics, at least for his remaining months in office,” Atiku said.
CAN’s 2026 National Church Leaders Summit communique marks one of the most unified security-focused interventions by the church body in recent years, coming amid rising concerns over kidnappings, banditry and attacks across several states.
