The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has pushed back strongly against claims made by presidential aide Daniel Bwala, accusing him of misrepresenting the outcome of a recent meeting at CAN’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, visited CAN on Monday, October 20, 2025, reportedly to discuss international concerns over religious violence in Nigeria—specifically comments made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who labeled the continued killings of Christians in the country as “Christian genocide.”
Following the meeting, Bwala told the media that CAN’s leadership did not believe these killings amounted to genocide—a statement that has now been firmly denied by the association.
“Completely False and Grossly Unfair” – CAN Responds
In a statement signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association called Bwala’s remarks false and deeply misleading. The church body expressed shock at how the presidential aide twisted the content of the meeting to suit a different narrative.
“The report falsely suggested that the CAN President dismissed or downplayed the ongoing killings by describing them as a ‘so-called Christian genocide.’ That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair,” the statement read.
CAN said the meeting was recorded by its media team and categorically stated that no one in its leadership—including Archbishop Okoh—used the phrase “so-called Christian genocide” or expressed a denial of the religious nature of the killings.
Evidence Presented, Names Clarified
During the meeting, Bishop Mike Akpami, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, reportedly presented verified data from www.orfa.africa, which showed clear patterns of systematic and targeted attacks against Christians in various parts of Africa, including Nigeria.
CAN emphasized that these attacks, particularly in the Northern and Middle Belt regions, are not random incidents of banditry, but coordinated assaults that have gone largely unpunished.
The statement also corrected inaccuracies in some media reports that listed attendees who were never present. CAN clarified that Rev. Dr. Uzoaku Williams and Dr. Celestine Aharanwa were not part of the meeting.
A Call for Justice and Truth
CAN warned that referring to the crisis as a “so-called genocide” trivializes the suffering of Christian communities who have endured years of violence, displacement, and destruction of worship centers.
The association urged the Nigerian government and security agencies to take urgent and transparent action to halt the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
Finally, CAN called on public officials and the media to approach sensitive issues like this with truthfulness and empathy, stating that “careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace.”
