CAN National President Daniel Okoh
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has moved to set the record straight following what it described as misleading media reports about a recent meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Barrister Daniel Bwala.
The meeting, which took place at the CAN Secretariat in the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, October 20, 2025, was part of a dialogue initiated by the Presidency to gauge the Christian body’s stance on global reactions to a statement by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
The senator had recently referred to the sustained attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria as a “Christian genocide.”
According to a statement issued by CAN and signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, 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.’”
Bwala reportedly acknowledged that insecurity had affected both Christians and Muslims, and said the Tinubu administration had inherited the problem and was working to address it.
However, CAN stressed that its position on the issue has been consistent 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,” the statement read.
“These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure.”
The Christian body expressed concern over a press release purportedly issued after the meeting by Bwala, titled: “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership.”
The statement allegedly claimed that CAN President, Archbishop Okoh, had downplayed the killings, referring to them as a “so-called Christian genocide.”
CAN firmly rejected that account as both inaccurate and harmful.
“That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair,” the statement read. “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.”
To underscore its claims, CAN revealed that its Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Bishop Mike Akpami, had presented verified data during the meeting from orfa.africa, showing consistent and targeted attacks on Christians across various African regions, including Nigeria.
In a bid to clarify the facts further, CAN also listed attendees present during the meeting.
These included: 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,” the statement added, “Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams, Assistant General Secretary; and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa, whose names appeared in some reports, were not present at the meeting.”
In conclusion, CAN called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act with “urgency, fairness, and transparency” to stop the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
It also urged media and government officials to be “truthful, empathetic, and responsible,” warning that “careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.”
