CAN Rejects Presidency’s Claim on Faith Killings
CAN Rejects Presidency’s Claim on Faith Killings
A fresh controversy has erupted between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Presidency over reports on alleged killings of Christians across the country.
CAN on Monday accused the Presidency of misrepresenting its position following a meeting with Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication.
In a statement, CAN described the Presidency’s post-meeting release as “false, misleading, and insensitive,” insisting it never dismissed claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The Presidency had earlier circulated a statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership,” quoting CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh as referring to the crisis as a “so-called genocide.”
Reacting, Okoh said the report was a deliberate distortion of facts and an attempt to downplay the suffering of Christians affected by repeated attacks.
“At no point did I or any CAN official describe the killings as a ‘so-called genocide,’” he said.
“Such phrasing trivialises the pain of thousands who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship.”
CAN explained that the meeting, held on October 20 at its Abuja Secretariat, focused on Nigeria’s response to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s comments describing the attacks as “Christian genocide.”
The association said its stance was rooted in verified data from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), which documents targeted assaults on Christian communities.
It accused the Presidency of twisting remarks to reduce international scrutiny, warning that careless statements could deepen wounds and undermine peace.
“Any suggestion that CAN dismissed the reality of Christian persecution is false,” the statement read.
CAN also urged the Federal Government to act urgently and transparently to stop the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
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Presidency, Religious Leaders React
Speaking on Arise TV, Bwala maintained that no Christian genocide exists under the Tinubu administration, arguing that CAN relied on outdated and flawed data.
“The ORFA report drew from unverifiable local sources and introduced religion into the study,” he said.
“Both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks, though in different proportions.”
Bwala added that genocide requires a coordinated, state-sponsored effort, which, he said, is not the case in Nigeria. He described U.S. Senator Cruz’s comments as “politically motivated.”
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah also dismissed genocide claims, warning that such narratives threaten national unity.
Speaking at the Northern Traditional Rulers Council meeting in Birnin Kebbi, the Sultan said Christians and Muslims in the North have “coexisted peacefully for centuries.”
“Those alleging genocide must come forward with proof,” he said.
At the Vatican, Bishop Kukah urged restraint, noting that re-designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” would undermine peacebuilding efforts.
He acknowledged ongoing violence but said Tinubu’s administration had shown “genuine signs of inclusion” through balanced appointments and interfaith engagement.
“The last eight years marked the worst phase in Nigeria’s interfaith history,” Kukah said. “The new government deserves encouragement, not condemnation.”
Both leaders stressed that Nigeria’s path to peace lies in interfaith cooperation, unity, and responsible dialogue.
Content Credit: Moyosola Oni
Image Credit: Google .Com
