CAN Refutes Bwala’s Claim, Says Christian K!llings in Nigeria Not ‘So-Called Gen0cide’

CAN Refutes Bwala’s Claim, Says Christian Killings in Nigeria Not ‘So-Called Genocide’

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, of misrepresenting its position after a meeting at the association’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting, held on Monday, came amid growing international concerns over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria and moves by some U.S. lawmakers to push for protection of persecuted Christians.

Following the visit, Bwala had claimed that Western media and U.S. legislators were responsible for presenting “an inaccurate picture” of the security situation in Nigeria, arguing that the country’s violence “transcends religion.”

However, CAN in a statement issued on Tuesday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, distanced itself from Bwala’s remarks, describing them as a false representation of their discussion.

The association clarified that it never referred to the killings of Christians as a “so-called Christian genocide,” stressing that Bwala’s version of the meeting downplayed the ongoing atrocities against Christian communities.

“During the visit, Barrister Bwala sought to know CAN’s stance on global reactions to comments made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who referred to the widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide’,” the statement read.

“CAN made it clear that its position remains firm, across several parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have suffered repeated, organized, and brutal attacks that have left thousands dead, homes destroyed, and families displaced,” the statement added.

The Christian body reiterated its call for the government to take decisive action in protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring justice for victims of religious violence.