Jalingo, Nigeria
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has publicly disagreed with a prominent aide to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, over the ongoing debate regarding alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
The clash took place as YOWICAN’s National Secretary, Bako Adashu Elijah, delivered a speech at a convention in Jalingo, Taraba State, this weekend.
Reaffirming Genocide Claims
Mr. Bwala, a Special Adviser to the President, has consistently maintained that the claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria is misleading and inaccurate.
However, Mr. Elijah directly challenged this assertion, reiterating YOWICAN’s stance that the targeted killing of Christians is a real issue, particularly in the North-east region of the country.
“Our position as YOWICAN remains unchanged: there has been, and there continues to be, an ongoing genocide in parts of Nigeria,” Mr. Elijah stated. “Any attempt to downplay or distort this truth is a product of media misrepresentation.”
Mr. Elijah also referenced recent remarks made by President Donald Trump concerning the alleged killings, stating that these have once again brought global attention to the challenges facing Nigerian Christians.
Direct Challenge to Presidential Aide
Mr. Elijah directed his criticism toward Mr. Bwala, who is himself from the North-east (Borno State), questioning his dismissal of the claims.
“If the menace of Christian genocide does not affect his people or his family simply because he is currently in the comfort of government, then that is indeed unfortunate,” Mr. Elijah said.
In addition to the dispute over the nature of the violence, YOWICAN renewed its call for the replacement of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, over the recurring incidents of insecurity across the country.
Mr. Elijah concluded by stating that the appeal for Mr. Ribadu’s replacement is rooted in the urgent need for “effective, responsive, and competent leadership in national security.”
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