The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his support behind resolutions issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at its 2026 National Church Leaders Summit, particularly its call for urgent reforms to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
The former Vice President made his position known in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday, where he also expressed sympathy with Nigerians affected by rising insecurity across the country.
“I have just read the communique released by the Christian Association of Nigeria under the leadership of His Grace Archbishop Daniel Okoh from the 2026 National Church Leaders Summit, and I align with the concern and sympathies of the Church in Nigeria over the security of the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku stated that CAN’s recommendation for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security architecture aligns with his own long-held position on governance and security reforms. He criticised the current administration over what he described as its handling of security challenges.
“The demand for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security architecture, enhanced intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved operational effectiveness and greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, banditry and violent crime, are all fully in line with my position on the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government,” Atiku stated.
He also praised Christian leaders across different denominations for presenting a unified stance on insecurity, describing their intervention as timely and necessary.
“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,” he said.
Atiku further noted that the declaration of three days of national mourning by CAN should serve as a moment of reflection for political leaders and policymakers.
“From the Catholic Secretariat to the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), the Organisation of African Instituted Churches to the TEKAN/ECWA and other Christian blocs in Nigeria, 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 added.
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He argued that insecurity continues to affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines and urged broader national support for efforts aimed at addressing the crisis.
“As insecurity ravages without concern for religious or ethnic differences which have been made more glaring by the 360 degrees failure of the incumbent government, I commend this noble effort to hold the ruling party accountable and encourage solidarity from all Nigerians in this regard,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate also called on Islamic organisations and leaders to join in amplifying the call for urgent action on insecurity.
“I enjoin other faith organisations especially of the Muslim block to lend their voices to this wake-up call,” he stated.
Atiku concluded by urging President Bola Tinubu to take the concerns raised by CAN seriously and implement meaningful measures to address the security situation.
“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.