- “You are twisting facts,” CAN tells Presidency
- “How can you use a proportional report to establish genocide
A heated controversy has erupted between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Presidency over claims of an ongoing “Christian genocide” in parts of the country, following what CAN described as a “false and misleading” report issued by presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, after a meeting with Church leaders in Abuja. The apex Christian body on Monday accused the Presidency of twisting facts and misrepresenting its position on the systematic killings of Christians across the North and Middle Belt.
In a strongly worded statement, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the Presidency’s account of the meeting— where Bwala reportedly claimed CAN dismissed the idea of genocide—was “completely untrue and grossly unfair.” “That portrayal is false and insensitive. At no point did I or any CAN official refer to the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide,’” Archbishop Okoh declared. “Such language trivialises the pain of thousands of Christians who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks.”
CAN: Killings are systematic, not random
CAN maintained that the widespread and continuing assaults on Christian communities amount to genocide and not mere criminal acts, insisting that evidence supports this claim. During the meeting, CAN’s Director of Planning, Research and Strategy, Bishop Mike Akpami, presented verified data from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) showing coordinated attacks on Christian populations across several regions of the country. “These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern of violence that has persisted for years without justice or closure,” CAN said, renewing its call on the Federal Government to act with urgency, fairness, and transparency to halt the killings and bring perpetrators to justice. The body also cautioned government officials and the media to exercise restraint and empathy in their communication on faith-related violence, warning that “careless statements can deepen wounds and undermine peace.”
Presidency dismisses claim, questions data credibility
But responding on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, rejected CAN’s accusations and insisted there is no Christian genocide under the Tinubu administration. Bwala faulted CAN’s reliance on the ORFA report, describing it as “methodologically weak” and “based on unverifiable data.” “Anybody who believes in research will look at the methodology,” he said. “That report’s data came from local media, NGOs, and unnamed development partners who were the ones that introduced the issue of religion into the study.” According to him, the report covered incidents between 2019 and 2023—largely before the Tinubu administration—and therefore cannot be used to indict the present government. He added that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks by insurgents and bandits, saying the proportional figures “do not meet the threshold for genocide.” “How can you, in all honesty, use a proportional report to establish genocide?” Bwala queried. “Even the organisation that published the data never described it as genocide,” he added. Bwala also dismissed recent remarks by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who referred to the Nigerian crisis as a “Christian genocide,” calling the statement “politically motivated and detached from verified facts.”
Church calls for truth, justice, and empathy
Archbishop Okoh emphasised that CAN’s commitment to peace does not translate into silence in the face of injustice. “Our desire for national harmony must be grounded in truth and justice,” he said. “Words must match action if peace and healing are to prevail.” He reaffirmed that CAN remains open to dialogue but would continue to speak for victims of violence, ensuring that “faith is never used as a smokescreen for political convenience or denial.”
Analysis
The exchange underscores the growing tension between the Church and State over Nigeria’s human rights record and the recurring violence against Christian communities. While the Presidency maintains that both faiths suffer from insecurity, Church leaders insist that the pattern, scale, and consistency of the attacks bear the marks of a coordinated persecution.
…Bishop Kukah to world powers: Back Nigeria’s peace efforts, not sanctions
- Cautions against punitive measures, urges partnership for interfaith harmony
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged the international community to reconsider any move to label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged religious persecution, saying such a step could jeopardise fragile gains in peace and interfaith dialogue. Bishop Kukah made the call on Monday during the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom, held at the Augustinianum Hall in Vatican City. Delivering a paper titled “A Plea and Testimony from Nigeria,” he acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent challenges with terrorism, insecurity, and ethnic divisions but maintained that these realities should not be oversimplified as Christian persecution. “We are not dealing with people going around wielding machetes to kill me because I am a Christian,” he said. “I live and work in Sokoto, right in the womb of Islam, where collaboration between Christians and Muslims remains possible.”
“A weak state, not a war on Christians”
The Bishop lamented what he called Nigeria’s “national tragedy” of deepening insecurity and loss of lives, describing the situation as a symptom of weak governance and institutional failure. “Nigerians are dying unacceptable deaths — not only because of their religion but also their ethnicity,” he warned. “We are at the cusp of a weak state with a clear lack of capacity to arrest the descent into anarchy.” He noted that some communities now face near-genocidal condition due to the state’s inability to protect its citizens.
Recalling the Buhari years, noting Renewed Hope
Reflecting on Nigeria’s recent political history, Bishop Kukah described the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari as “the worst phase in interfaith relations,” alleging that sectarian loyalties often outweighed national identity. “Under Buhari, to gain power, it was more important to be a northern Muslim than to be a citizen of Nigeria,” he said. In contrast, the Bishop commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its efforts at religious inclusiveness and balanced appointments. “The President and Vice President are Muslims, yet Christians have not felt alienated,” he observed. “Having Christians as Chief of Defence Staff, Director of DSS, and INEC Chairman are confidence-building measures that restore faith in our diversity.”
Decline in terrorism, lingering threats
Citing the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Kukah acknowledged a 37-percent decline in terrorist attacks in 2024 but cautioned that religious identity still fuels violence, particularly in the northern region. He urged government to reaffirm Nigeria’s constitutional secularism, questioning the continued operation of Sharia law in 12 northern states, which, he said, fosters “mob justice and discrimination.” “The President should go to court to have the adoption of Sharia law declared unconstitutional,” he stated. “The secular state anticipated by the Constitution must be enforced.” Kukah also cited subtle forms of discrimination against Christian minorities — including denial of land for Church buildings, exclusion from religious education, and bias in public employment.
Appeal to international partners
On the global stage, Bishop Kukah appealed for understanding and partnership, cautioning that re-designating Nigeria as a “Country of Concern” would “reverse gains in dialogue and reconciliation.” “Such a designation will only increase tensions, sow doubt, and embolden perpetrators of violence,” he warned. “What Nigeria needs now is vigilance, cooperation, and pressure for reform — not isolation.” The Bishop also revisited Nigeria’s long struggle against terrorism, criticising past U.S. administrations for restricting arms sales during the fight against Boko Haram. He called for renewed international cooperation, particularly in strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to secure peace and justice.
Faith and hope in a shared future
Bishop Kukah concluded on a hopeful note, commending the Vatican’s renewed commitment to peace and inclusivity under Pope Leo XIV, and expressing confidence that Nigeria can become a catalyst for world peace. “Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people of faith, can make a great contribution to world peace if we rid our country of religious extremism,” he said. “We should be supported and encouraged in this effort — not punished.”
About the ACN Report
The Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom — spanning over 1,200 pages — documents a global decline in faith rights, revealing that 5.4 billion people now live under restrictions on religious freedom. The report identifies authoritarianism, religious extremism, and organised crime as key forces driving persecution worldwide.
