CAN Dismisses Breakaway Claims, Defends Unity of Nigerian Church
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected claims of internal collapse and division, describing recent reports suggesting a Northern Christian breakaway as misleading and exaggerated.
In a rebuttal issued by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA), church leaders faulted a publication by Ejes Gist News which alleged that Northern Christians had abandoned CAN to form a separate body.
The statement, signed by Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, maintained that CAN remains the legally recognized umbrella organization for Christians across Nigeria, operating through established regional and state structures.
According to the council, any group such as the purported Northern Christian Association (NCA), even if registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, does not constitute a secession from CAN. It emphasized that Northern CAN remains an integral part of the national body.
The rebuttal also defended Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, over interpretations of her recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). It stated that her comments were taken out of context and did not deny the persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, but rather addressed broader national security concerns.
The council further supported the decision by CAN Lagos to honor the First Lady, noting that engagement with government officials should not be misconstrued as compromise, but seen as part of constructive dialogue.
Addressing allegations of diversion of foreign aid meant for Northern Christians, the statement described such claims as unsubstantiated and warned against spreading narratives capable of damaging the Church’s credibility.
While acknowledging the real suffering of Christians in parts of Northern Nigeria, the council stressed that insecurity in the country is complex, involving terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts affecting multiple groups.
It cautioned against framing the situation as a North-South divide within the Church, describing such characterizations as harmful and divisive.
The statement concluded by urging Nigerian Christians to focus on unity, transparency, and collective advocacy, rather than sensational narratives.
“The claim that CAN is finished is false, and the assertion that Northern Christians have abandoned CAN is unfounded,” the council stated, reaffirming its commitment to unity within the Nigerian Christian community.
