Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has debunked reports alleging a division within the body along northern and southern lines, as well as diversion of relief funds purportedly meant for persecuted faithful in Northern Nigeria.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who described the allegations as entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading, stated that the association remains one united and indivisible body.

Okoh insisted that CAN has never received nor managed any such relief funds as alleged, and that no funds have been diverted under any circumstance.

He said the narrative being promoted is a fabrication calculated to misinform the public, erode trust, and bring the Church into disrepute.

His words: “The Christian Association of Nigeria has noted with grave concern a series of false, malicious, and deeply defamatory claims circulating in the public space, alleging a division within the Association along Northern and Southern lines, as well as the diversion of funds purportedly meant for the relief of persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria.

“We state, in the clearest possible terms: these allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading. For the avoidance of doubt, CAN has neither received nor managed any such relief funds as alleged, and no funds have been diverted under any circumstance. The narrative being promoted is a fabrication, calculated to misinform the public, erode trust, and bring the Church into disrepute.”

The CAN boss regretted that “these baseless claims were publicly propagated by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin, without evidence and without regard for the potential consequences on national cohesion and the unity of the Church.”