Olayiwola Matthew
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Monday accused the Presidency of misrepresenting its position on the alleged killing of Christians in Nigeria, describing a statement released after a recent meeting with presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, as false, misleading, and insensitive.
CAN said the Presidency’s version of the meeting gave the false impression that the association dismissed claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, a position it described as “completely untrue and unfair.”
But reacting to CAN during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Bwala maintained his stance, insisting that there is no Christian genocide under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The presidential aide contended that the report CAN based its claim of genocide on was outdated.
“Anybody who believes in research will look at the methodology,” Bwala said. “That report’s data came from local media, NGOs, and unnamed development partners who, ironically, were the ones that introduced the issue of religion into the study.”
The controversy followed a visit by Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, to the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, October 20, 2025.
Following the visit, a statement titled “Presidency Debunks Western Christian Genocide Narrative in Dialogue with CAN Leadership” circulated online, quoting CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, as allegedly describing the crisis as a “so-called genocide.”
Reacting on Tuesday, Archbishop Okoh said the portrayal of the meeting was a deliberate attempt to distort facts and downplay the suffering of Christians who have been victims of repeated attacks across the country.
Giving its version of the meeting, CAN said, “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. CAN made it clear that its position on this issue has long been established and remains unchanged.”
CAN insisted that at no point during the meeting did its President or any member of its delegation downplay the killings or question their genocidal nature.
“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,” Okoh said.
He stressed that CAN’s position on the killings has long been established and remains unchanged, adding that referring to the tragedy as a “so-called genocide” trivialises the pain of thousands who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks.