CAN Slams Presidency Over ‘So Called Christian Genocide’ Claims

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the Presidency of giving a distorted account of its stance on the escalating killings of Christians across northern and Middle-Belt Nigeria.

In a forceful response, CAN insisted it never described the violence as a “so-called Christian genocide,” and accused the government of twisting facts to downplay the severity of the situation.

The controversy began when the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, visited CAN’s Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, October 20, 2025.

His aim was to clarify CAN’s position after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz labelled the wave of attacks on Christians as “genocide.”

Following that meeting, the Presidency issued a press statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership.”

In its own statement, CAN said that the release falsely implied that the association’s President, Daniel Okoh, had dismissed the killings as “so-called genocide.” CAN insisted that no such words were spoken.

“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,” Okoh said.

In its rebuff, CAN reaffirmed that the violence against Christians in many parts of the North and Middle Belt is “repeated, organised and brutal,” leaving thousands dead, villages destroyed and families displaced.

“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,” the association’s statement read.

“These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.”

Far from being silent, CAN said it has consistently called for urgent government action, fairness, transparent investigations and protection of victims.

The association also urged media professionals and government officials to handle the subject with care.

“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,” it said.

The crux of CAN’s anger lies in what it views as a distortion of its message.

The term “so-called genocide,” used in the government’s press release, struck the association as trivialising the loss and suffering of thousands of Christians.

“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 said.

By misrepresenting CAN’s words, the association argues, the Presidency undermines trust, sows confusion and weakens the possibility of collaboration between the church and state in protecting vulnerable citizens.

Those present during the Monday meeting at CAN included Archbishop Okoh, Vice President Rev. Stephen Panya Baba, General Secretary Apostle Samson Fatokun, Director of Education Women & Youth Rev. Emmanuel Nicodemus Ozumba, Director of Legal & Public Affairs Dame Comfort Otera Chigbue (Esq.), and Bishop Mike Akpami (Director of Planning, Research and Strategy). At the meeting, Bishop Akpami presented verified data from orfa.africa, showing consistent targeted attacks on Christians. CAN stressed that this data formed the basis of its calls for government urgency.

However, the Presidency were yet to issue a fresh statement following CAN’s rebuff as of the time of filing this report.