CAN rejects Bwala’s claim that it dismissed report on christian genocide 

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has refuted claims that it downplayed reports of  genocide against Christians in Nigeria during a  meeting on Monday with Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication.
The association was reacting to a statement issued by Bwala after the  meeting with CAN leaders at its  Secretariat in Abuja.
Bwala had in the  statement claimed that CAN dismissed the label of genocide as a “so-called Christian genocide.”
Bwala quoted the CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh saying: “We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for engaging the Christian community on issues of national concern, particularly the ‘so-called Christian genocide’ narrative.”
However, the CAN President in a statement on Tuesday described the statement as “completely false and grossly unfair.”
He said, “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.”
Okoh added that CAN’s  position on the matter “has long been established and remains unchanged.”
The Christian body cited years of “repeated, organised, and brutal attacks” across the North and Middle Belt regions, describing them as part of “a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.”
During the meeting, CAN officials presented verified data from www.orfa.africa, showing evidence of targeted attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
The statement said the meeting with Bwala was  attended by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba, Apostle Prof. Samson Fatokun and other  CAN officials.
While acknowledging Bwala’s interest in understanding CAN’s position following global reactions to the U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s remarks, the Christian body warned against misrepresentations.
CAN called on the federal government to act with “urgency, fairness, and transparency” to halt the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
It also urged media professionals and public officials to communicate with “truth, empathy, and responsibility,” cautioning that “careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.”

Full text of statement by CAN statement issued on October 21, 2025, in Abuja.

1. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes to correct recent media reports following the visit of Barrister Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, 20 October 2025.

2. During the visit, Barrister Bwala sought to understand CAN’s position regarding the global reactions to remarks by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who described the widespread attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide.’ He noted that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from insecurity, adding that the current administration inherited the problem and is working to address it.

3. 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 that 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.

4. However, CAN was alarmed to see a press statement reportedly issued by Barrister Bwala, titled *’Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership.’* The report falsely suggested that the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, dismissed or downplayed the ongoing killings by describing them as a ‘so-called Christian genocide

5. 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.

6. During the meeting, CAN’s 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.

7. The meeting was attended by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN; Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba, Vice President; Apostle (Prof.) Samson Fatokun, General Secretary; Dean Rev. Ozumba, Emmanuel Nicodemus,  Director of Education, Women & Youth; Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Esq), Director of Legal & Public Affairs; Bishop Mike Akpami, Director of Planning, Research & Strategy; Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, Director of National Issues & Social Welfare; Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, Secretary, North Central Zone; and Dr. Victor Ivoke, Senior Special Assistant to the CAN President. For the avoidance of doubt, Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams, Assistant General Secretary; and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some reports, were not present at the meeting.

8. CAN calls on the federal government and security agencies to act with urgency, fairness, and transparency to halt these killings and bring all perpetrators to justice. It also urges media professionals and government officials to speak with truth, empathy, and responsibility, as careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.

Signed:
Archbishop Daniel Okoh
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)