Daniel Bwala meets CAN leaders, says claims of Christian genocide misleading

Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, says the federal government is committed to protecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Bwala spoke on Monday when he met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja to address concerns on the insecurity in the country.

The meeting, held at the association’s national secretariat, came amid the allegation of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Recently, claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria have been peddled on conventional and social media, especially by some personalities in the United States.

Following the claims, Ted Cruz, a US senator, proposed a bill that seeks to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria.

Riley Moore, a member of the US house of representatives, had asked Marco Rubio, secretary of state, to immediately take decisive diplomatic action against the Nigerian government over the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country.

Bill Maher, a US comedian and talk show host, also alleged that Christians are being systematically exterminated in Nigeria by terror groups.

In a statement released pertaining to the claim, CAN affirmed the opinions of the US lawmakers, adding that Christian communities, especially in northern Nigeria, have suffered severe assaults, loss of lives, and destruction of places of worship.

However, the federal government has repeatedly denied the claim.

‘CHRISTIAN GENOCIDE CLAIM MISLEADING’

During the visit, Bwala accused the Western media and US lawmakers of painting an inaccurate picture of the situation in Nigeria, noting that the country’s security challenges have evolved before religion.

“The government is not involved, either passively or actively, in the insecurity issues confronting some parts of the country,” Bwala was quoted as saying in a statement issued after the meeting.

“These challenges have evolved beyond religion, with root causes tied to climate change, extremist ideologies, and economic pressures.

“Such narratives are misleading. The killings in Plateau and Benue are tragic, but so, too, are those in Zamfara and Katsina. Insecurity is a national challenge, not a sectarian one.”

‘WE’VE NOT CHANGED OUR POSITION’

Daniel Okoh, the president of CAN, said the association is yet to change its position on the Christian genocide claim.

Okoh said the association will continue to pray for the peace of the country.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for engaging the Christian community on issues of national concern, particularly the so-called ‘Christian genocide’ narrative,” he said.

“As we made clear in our previous statement, CAN has not changed its position.

“We are a responsible organisation and remain open to collaboration with the government on governance and security reforms that will bring peace and stability to our nation.”

Top CAN officials, including Stephen Panya Baba, vice-president; Samson Fatokun, general secretary; Uzoaku Juliana Williams, assistant general secretary; Celestine Chiedo Aharanwa, FCA treasurer; and Comfort Chigbue, legal and public affairs officer, attended the meeting.

Others in attendance were Ozumba Nicodemus, officer-in-charge of education, youth & women development; Mike Akpami, officer-in-charge of planning, research and strategy, and Abimbola Ayuba, director of national issues and social welfare.