The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the Presidency of falsely attributing a claim to the body after a meeting with the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on the ‘Christian genocide’ controversy.

CAN, in a statement by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Tuesday, accused the presidency of falsely misrepresenting its position on the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The Christian body acknowledged meeting with Tinubu’s aide, but denounced, describing the situation as ‘so-called,’ as reported in Bwala’s account of the meeting.

CAN maintained that there were cases of targeted killings of Christians in several parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region.

The body clarified that Bwala visited the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, during which he sought to understand their position on remarks made by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who described the persistent killings of Christians in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide’.

The body maintained that it told the presidential media aide during the meeting that Christians are facing targeted persecution in some parts of the country and sought the government’s intervention in arresting the situation.

“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,” Okoh said.

CAN disagreed with the version of events as reported by Bwala in a statement titled ‘Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership’.

The apex Christian body said it never downplayed the impact of the situation, adding that the presidency’s account of the meeting suggests Okoh trivialized the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

“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 Christian body added that during the meeting, its Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Bishop Mike Akpami, presented verified data from www.orfa.africa showing consistent and targeted attacks on Christians across several regions of Africa, including Nigeria.

It added that contrary to certain social media reports, CAN Assistant General Secretary, Rev. Dr Uzoaku Williams, and Dr Celestine Aharanwa, were not present at Monday’s meeting.

Those present 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.

CAN appealed to the government to ensure peace and justice prevails in the matter.

“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.

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