The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the Presidency for allegedly twisting its words during a recent meeting, reaffirming that the killings of Christians in parts of the country amount to a “Christian genocide.”
The disagreement followed the visit of presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. The meeting was held to discuss comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who recently described the persistent killings of Christians in Nigeria as a “Christian genocide.”
CAN stated that its position on the issue “remains unchanged,” stressing that Christian communities in the North and Middle Belt have faced systematic, organized attacks resulting in thousands of deaths, destruction of villages, and widespread displacement.
The Christian body criticized the Presidency’s subsequent press statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership”, describing it as “completely false and grossly unfair.”
According to CAN, the report wrongly suggested that its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, had downplayed the killings by referring to them as a “so-called Christian genocide.” The association clarified that at no point during the meeting did Okoh use such language or express such a view, adding that the entire session was recorded by its media team.
CAN maintained that referring to the tragedy as a “so-called genocide” trivializes the pain and suffering of countless Christians who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks.
The association further explained that its Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, Bishop Mike Akpami, presented verified data from ORFA Africa, showing consistent and targeted attacks on Christian communities across several regions, including Nigeria. It also clarified that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some reports, were not present at the meeting.
CAN called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with urgency, fairness, and transparency to end the killings and bring perpetrators to justice. It also urged media professionals and government officials to communicate responsibly, noting that careless statements can deepen divisions and undermine peace.
Reiterating its stance, CAN said its commitment to peace does not equate to silence in the face of injustice, emphasizing that truth must always guide engagement between the Church, the State, and the public.
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