The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly condemned what it described as a deliberate attempt by the Presidency to misrepresent its position on the ongoing killings of Christians across the country, insisting that the attacks amount to “a Christian genocide.”
In a statement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, the association clarified that it never dismissed the widespread violence as a “so-called Christian genocide”, contrary to claims made in a press release allegedly issued by Barrister Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication.
According to CAN, the controversy arose after Bwala’s visit to its national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, where he sought to understand CAN’s stance on comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who had described the killings 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,” Archbishop Okoh said.
“These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.”
The Christian body expressed shock at the Presidency’s subsequent statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership,” describing it as false and grossly misleading.
“The report falsely suggested that I downplayed the killings by calling them a ‘so-called Christian genocide.’ That portrayal is completely false and unfair,” Okoh said.
“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.”
CAN added that its media team recorded the entire meeting, confirming that no such words were used.
During the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, presented verified data from www.orfa.africa, which documented consistent and targeted attacks against Christians in several parts of Africa, including Nigeria.
CAN officials present at the meeting included Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba, Apostle (Prof.) Samson Fatokun, and others, while the association clarified that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some media reports, were not in attendance.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and justice, CAN called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act urgently to end the killings and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Our pursuit of peace does not mean silence in the face of injustice. Truth must guide every engagement between the Church, the State, and the public,” the CAN President said.
He further urged media professionals and government officials to “speak with truth, empathy, and responsibility”, warning that careless statements could deepen wounds and undermine national unity.
