CAN accuses Bwala of misrepresenting discussion on ‘Christian genocide’

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the statement released by Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, after a meeting with the association in Abuja.

On Monday, Bwala visited the leadership of CAN at the association’s national secretariat in Abuja, the country’s capital.

The meeting took place amid the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria and the move by some United States lawmakers to protect “persecuted” Christians.

In a statement released after the visit, Bwala said he told the CAN officials that Western media and US lawmakers are “responsible for painting an inaccurate picture” of the situation in Nigeria.

The presidential aide said the country’s security challenges have evolved before religion.

Daniel Okoh, the CAN president, was quoted in the statement as saying that the association will not change its position on the Christian genocide claim.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for engaging the Christian community on issues of national concern, particularly the so-called ‘Christian genocide’ narrative,” the CAN president was quoted in a statement released by Bwala.

‘WE WERE MISQUOTED’

But in a statement on Tuesday, Okoh said the association did not describe the killings of Christian as “so-called Christian genocide”.

The CAN president said the statement released by Bwala after the visit “falsely suggested” that the association downplayed the killings of Christians.

“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’,” the statement reads.

“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. 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.

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

“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’.

“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.”