The Christian Association of Nigeria has accused the Presidency of distorting facts and misrepresenting its stance on the continued killings of Christians across the country, insisting that the violence in several parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt constitutes a “Christian genocide.”
In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN emphasized that it never downplayed or referred to the killings as a “so-called Christian genocide,” contrary to claims reportedly made in a press release issued by Barrister Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication.
According to the statement, the misunderstanding followed Bwala’s courtesy visit to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
During the visit, he sought clarification on CAN’s position regarding comments by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who had described the persistent killings of Christians in Nigeria as a “Christian genocide.”
“CAN made it clear that its position on this issue has long been established and remains unchanged. Across many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have suffered repeated, organised and brutal attacks which have left thousands dead, villages destroyed and families displaced. These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
The association expressed dismay over the Presidency’s subsequent statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership.”
According to CAN, the release wrongly suggested that Archbishop Okoh had minimized the killings by calling them a “so-called Christian genocide.”
“That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair. The meeting was recorded by CAN’s media team, and at no point did Archbishop Okoh use such words or express such a view. Referring to the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide’ trivialises the pain of countless Christians who have lost loved ones, homes and places of worship in targeted attacks,” Archbishop Okoh said.
The statement further disclosed that during the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, presented verified data from www.orfa.africa highlighting consistent and targeted attacks on Christians in multiple African regions, including Nigeria.
Those in attendance included Archbishop Daniel Okoh (President); Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba (Vice President); Apostle (Prof.) Samson Fatokun (General Secretary); Dean Rev. Emmanuel Nicodemus Ozumba (Director of Education, Women and Youth); Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Esq) (Director of Legal and Public Affairs); Bishop Mike Akpami (Director of Planning, Research and Strategy); Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (Director of National Issues and Social Welfare); Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly (Secretary, North Central Zone); and Dr. Victor Ivoke (Senior Special Assistant to the CAN President).
For clarity, CAN added that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams, Assistant General Secretary, and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names were mentioned in some reports, were not present at the meeting.
“We call on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with urgency, fairness and transparency to halt these killings and bring all perpetrators to justice.
“We also urge media professionals and government officials to speak with truth, empathy and responsibility, as careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace,” Archbishop Okoh said.
Reaffirming its stand, CAN maintained that its advocacy for peace should not be mistaken for silence in the face of injustice, stressing that truth must always guide interactions between the Church, the State, and the public.
