An intended dialogue between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Presidency has escalated into a public disagreement, with CAN strongly criticizing the Presidency for what it described as a “wholly inaccurate” and “deeply unjust” representation of its stance on the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
CAN accused the Presidency of distorting facts and mischaracterizing its viewpoint regarding the persistent attacks on Christian communities, emphasizing that the violence occurring in various parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt constitutes a deliberate ‘Christian genocide’.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN’s President, the association clarified that it never dismissed or labeled the widespread killings as a ‘so-called Christian genocide,’ contrary to claims made in a press statement allegedly issued by Barr. Daniel Bwala, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communication.
The statement explained that the misunderstanding arose following Bwala’s visit to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Monday. During this visit, he sought to clarify CAN’s position on comments made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who referred to the ongoing Christian killings in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide.’
“CAN has consistently maintained its position on this matter. In numerous regions across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian populations have endured repeated, systematic, and brutal assaults resulting in thousands of deaths, destruction of villages, and displacement of families,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
“These incidents are not isolated but part of a sustained pattern of violence that has continued for years without accountability or resolution,” he added.
The Christian organization expressed its dissatisfaction with the Presidency’s subsequent statement titled ‘Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership,’ which it said misrepresented Archbishop Okoh’s remarks by suggesting he minimized the severity of the killings.
“This depiction is entirely false and unfair. The meeting was documented by CAN’s media team, and at no time did Archbishop Okoh use the phrase ‘so-called Christian genocide’ or imply such a viewpoint,” the statement emphasized.
“Labeling the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide’ diminishes the suffering of countless Christians who have lost family members, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks,” Okoh stressed.
During the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, presented verified statistics from www.orfa.africa, highlighting ongoing and targeted assaults on Christian communities across multiple African countries, including Nigeria.
Attendees at the meeting 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).
To clarify any confusion, CAN noted that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams (Assistant General Secretary) and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some media reports, were not present at the meeting.
“We urge the Federal Government and security agencies to respond promptly, justly, and transparently to stop these killings and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable,” the statement appealed.
“We also call on journalists and government representatives to communicate with honesty, compassion, and responsibility, as careless language can exacerbate pain and hinder peace efforts,” Archbishop Okoh added.
CAN reaffirmed that its dedication to peace does not equate to silence in the face of injustice, underscoring that truth must always underpin interactions between the Church, the State, and the public.
