According to an article by Richard Carver posted on UNHCR-CDR WRITENET

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was established in 1976 as a counterweight to the growth of political Islam and came to prominence in the mid-1980s in the debate over Nigeria's membership of the OIC. This politicization of the religious debate led inevitably to a hardening of the divisions, with for example the leader of one radical Islamic group, Abubakar Gumi of the Izala, proclaiming in 1990 that Muslims would not accept a Christian president (Feb. 1996).

CAN has been described as an "umbrella body" for Christians (AFP 5 July 1995; Post Express 1 July 2000). The All Africa News Agency reported on 31 August 1998 that "the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a movement joined by all denominations, continues to be forthright against injustice and corruption. This has only earned the local church leaders [a] measure of persecution." On 3 November 1998 the General Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Church, stated that CAN includes the United Methodist Church and that CAN "has been monitoring the new government's activities to ensure accountability." Human Rights Without Frontiers states: "a number of Christian organizations, grouped together in the Christian Association of Nigeria, ... seek to use the political process to achieve moral-political ends" (28 Aug. 2000). CAN's national president

said that politics is God's calling and government is a department of God's Kingdom on Earth. Dr. Mbang added that the task before the church in Nigeria is to develop a strategy to recruit a new crop of Christians who will appreciate and extol the virtues of honesty and accountability to take the center stage in the administration in the country (Post Express 19 Sept. 2000).

Little information on the structure of CAN could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a women's branch of CAN has been reported, with Mrs. Chioma Ande identified as its Vice President, as well as Mrs. Abigail Akapu as financial secretary, Mrs. Rena Adejo as treasurer, and Mrs. Comfort Adeniyi and Mrs. Mary Onilude as members (Post Express 18 Aug. 1997). IPS also reported a CAN women's wing, known as WOWICAN, which "called on Nigerian women to stand up and take their place among the country's male-dominated politicians" (4 Sept. 1998). A CAN youth wing has also been reported (ibid. 31 July 1998). A 26 October 1999 Post Express article refers to a CAN executive council, while a 5 July 2000 This Day article mentions a "National Issues Committee."

CAN has been reported to have been involved in a range of different activities. What follows in this report is a sample. In the summer of 1995, after Muslim-Christian disturbances in Kano state, it warned that its members would respond if action was not taken by authorities (AFP 5 July 1995; Arab Press Service 31 July 1995a; ibid. 31 July 1995b).

Public CAN statements include those critical of Sani Abacha (All Africa Press Service 7 Apr. 1997; Post Express 17 May 1997; ibid. 2 July 1997; ibid. 27 Aug. 1997). The association also publicly called for the release of Moshood Abiola (Post Express 27 Aug. 1997). However, CAN representatives also called on members to obey government authorities and a CAN representative from Bauchi state "commended the Head of State, General Sani Abacha for reconciling the people of Nigeria" (Post Express 1 Jan. 1998).

In May 1997 CAN called on the Plateau State government to carry out investigations into causes of communal disputes in the state (Post Express 7 May 1997). In December 1997 it called on the government to take action in a communal dispute in Taraba State (Post Express 28 Dec. 1997).

In September 1997 the association urged the government to provide services to children and the elderly "instead of thinking of how to tax " the churches (Post Express 11 Sept. 1997). Just after Obasanjo assumed power, the CAN president called on the "military administrators to settle the issue of minimum wage to their states' workers before handing over to the governors-elect" (Post Express 25 May 1999).

On 21 July 1998 Post Express reported that the CAN Lagos State chapter "called for the recession of the South from northern Nigeria if the North refuses to allow a southern president to rule in the next democratic dispensation."

On 29 October 1998 Post Express reported the CAN president as supporting the Abubakar government's decision not to compensate victims in a disaster in which 1,000 persons were burned in a petrol disaster at Jesse. Sunday Mbang said "those people put themselves into that trouble. Petrol is a thing nobody should play with" (ibid.).

Early in 1999 CAN called on Christians "to observe a three day fasting and prayer ... for the success of the transition programme and the peace of the Nigerian nation" (Post Express 4 Feb. 1999).

When asked what role CAN would play in a new and democratic Nigeria an Abuja representative stated:

Well, CAN will pray, we want to make sure that we follow all Christians who hold political office. We are holding seminars for them. We would be praying for them. And if anybody does anything that is very wrong, we will not sit back. CAN is going to destroy the saying that "politics" is a dirty game." Politics is not a dirty game. All Christians must go in and reflect their faith, their religion in politics. So CAN is not going to sit back now and allow our Christians to fool themselves. No, we are going to follow them up. We are trying to converge all the Christians and give them a seminar before they are sworn into office. That plan is in the offing now. So the president of CAN will do that. We will gather all of them: councillors, chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, Senators and all ministers. We want them to come and then we will gather them and then pray for them. This has not been the case in the past. But this time around, we will follow them up and encourage them into politics. ...

So the church is not folding its hands and that's why sometimes, we organise seminars, crusades, to teach our people and then we establish vocational schools for the unemployed and we do a lot of counseling. So the church in Abuja is very very active and dynamic to our very responsibility especially to our society. So we are not careless about the church and the society because if members are not doing well, it is our problem. (Post Express 14 May 1999).

On 8 October 1999, the Kano State chapter was reported by Post Express to be "fashioning out modalities to discourage the government from converting Kano to an islamic state." The newspaper referred to "some executives of CAN in Kano, who pleaded anonymity" (ibid.).

In October 1999 CAN "vowed" to mount a legal challenge against the implementation of Sharia law by some northern states (Radio Kudirat 15 Oct. 1999). Several sources reported CAN's opposition to the introduction of Sharia (Manchester Guardian Weekly 12 Jan. 2000; Post Express 28 May 2000). A 10 December 1999 Post Express article reported that the Imo State CAN engaged in "a peaceful protest against the introduction of Sharia" in Zamfara State. However, on 1 July 2000 Post Express reported the CAN Vice President as saying that the association would not continue with its legal challenge in Zamfara State "because it viewed the issue as a political matter." He said "there was no unanimity among the leadership of the association on the approach to be adopted in challenging the issue" (ibid.).

Following the September 1999 vandalization of Christian churches in Ilorin, CAN "issue[d] an ultimatum" to the Kwara State government [that] ... 'If by Wednesday the government fails to speak up, it should be ready for retaliatory action'" (Marantha Christian Journal 22 Dec. 1999). The state chapter also declared "a three day period of prayer for all Christians in Kwara" and urged Christian traders to close their shops during the mornings of these days (ibid.). In January 2000 CAN "ordered all Christians in [Niger] state to lock up their business premises to meditate and fast against the adoption of Sharia in the state" (Post Express 19 Jan. 2000b).

IRIN reported on 12 January 2000 that "the Committee on Inter-religious Harmony, set up by Obasanjo when he took office to help douse religious tension," included the CAN president, Rev. Sunday Mbang. Mbang was also reported to be the head of the "Nigerians inter-religious Council (NIREC)" described as "a non governmental body [whose] ... main objective is to make peace reign in the country by settling ethnic and religious crisis. ... a religious body made of 50 members on the basis of 25 each from the Christians and the Moslems" (Post Express 19 Jan. 2000a). It was reported that the NIREC would soon look into problems in Lagos State involving the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) (ibid.). Vanguard Daily reported on 20 July 2000 that the CAN president had "expressed support for the anti-crime activities" of the OPC.

In April 2000, the CAN Kano chapter supported a proposal by the state government "to ban prostitution, gambling, swindling and the sale of alcohol ... [but] warned that any attempt by the state government to quietly introduce the Sharia by starting with the ban, would strongly be resisted by CAN" (Post Express 7 Apr. 2000). This support for the ban was criticized by "a chieftan of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), in Kano State" who called for the removal of the Kano Chairman of CAN, Reverend G.A. Ojo (Post Express 12 Apr. 2000). No mention of an "organizing committee" for the Kano State chapter of CAN could be found in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, please see below for information on specific individuals representing the Kano State chapter of CAN.

On 27 August 2000 Vanguard Daily reported that CAN "vowed to mobilise its members" in response to moves by the House of Representatives to pass a vote of no confidence in President Obasanjo. "CAN said it was an anomaly for the legislators to contemplate such a move, saying if anybody in the present administration deserved a vote of no confidence, it was the Senate and the House of Representatives" and accused many members of being "Abacha boys" (ibid.).

With reference to the existence of a Kaduna chapter of CAN, a 29 March 2000 IRIN report mentioned the efforts by the CAN "Kaduna branch" to provide relief to those affected by the state's religious violence, which included the distribution of materials gathered from other CAN state chapters. A 31 July 2000 P.M. News report also mentions the CAN Kaduna chapter. There is also a 25 May 2000 reference by This Day to a "Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Hospital in Kaduna."

For additional information on CAN please consult NGA24526.E of 9 July 1996, NGA17343.E of 30 May 1994, NGA13723 of 28 April 1993, and NGA13093 of 22 February 1993.

The following are the names of CAN officials taken from reports beginning in 1995:

Dr. Sunday Mbang, the president of CAN and Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria (Vanguard Daily 20 July 2000; Post Express 27 Aug. 1997; ibid. 25 May 1999; AP 29 Apr. 1998);

Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Vice President of CAN and President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (Post Express 1 July 2000);

Mr. C.O. Williams, CAN "General Secretary" (Post Express 7 Mar. 1999);

Charles Williams, Secretary-General (AFP 5 July 1995);

Rev. Fr. Mathew Kuka, "secretary general of the Christian Association of Nigeria" (PANA 1 Mar. 2000);

Professor Kayode Adesokan, Oyo State Chairman and member of National Issues Committee (This Day 5 July 2000);

Right Rev. Olaolu Akiode, president of Oyo State chapter (Post Express 6 July 2000);

Bishop Andrew Okenwa, "deputy secretary of the conference" (Post Express 27 Aug. 1997);

Bishop Kehinde Stephens, "secretary of conference" (ibid.);

Rev. Samuel C.K. Uche, president of the Kano State chapter of CAN (Post Express 2 July 1997);

Father Joseph Bagobiri, "chairman of Kano's Christian Association of Nigeria" (The Guardian 3 June 1995);

Dr. G. A. Ojo, Kano State chairman (Post Express 23 July 1999; ibid. 7 Apr. 2000);

Rev. Ajike Kalu, Kano state secretary-general (HRWF 19 Nov. 1999)

Rev. Peter Demobo (Dambo), Zamfara State chairman (Post Express 23 July 1999; ibid. 26 Oct. 1999);

Rt. Rev. Benjamin A. Kwashi, president of Plateau State CAN and Anglican Bishop of Jos (Post Express 7 May 1997);

Apostle Adebayo Abiola, "Lagos State Chairman" (Post Express 11 Sept. 1997; ibid. 21 July 1998);

Reverand Moses K. Iloh, publicity secretary of Lagos State chapter (ibid.);

Archbishop Peter Y. Jatau, chairman of "the northern and Abuja zone" of CAN (Post Express 4 Feb. 1999; ibid. 14 Aug. 1999; ibid 28 May 2000), also referred to as "the president of CAN, northern zone" (Radio Kudirat 15 Oct. 1999);

Archbishop Benjamin Achigili, "a Vice Chairman of the northern states and Abuja chapter of CAN" (Post Express 22 Dec. 1997; ibid 4 Feb. 1999);

Archbishop B.A. Achigili, Kaduna State chairman (This Day 31 July 2000);

Saidu Doyo (Dogo), secretary of CAN's " northern and Abuja zone" (Post Express 4 Feb. 1999; ibid. 14 Aug. 1999; ibid. 28 May 2000);

Rt. Rev. Ola Makinde, "the Archbishop of the Methodist Church, Abuja Diocese and chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja" (Post Express 14 May 1999);

Rev. Dauda Markafa (Marafa), chairman of the Bauchi State chapter (Post Express 1 Jan. 1998; ibid. 1 Jan. 1999; ibid. 10 Nov. 1999; AFP 22 July 2000);

Rev. (Dr.) Dan Kashibu, CAN Chairman in Takum (Post Express 28 Dec. 1997);

Ambassador Jolly Tanko Yusuf, "frontline leader [and]... patron of the youth wing" (Post Express 31 July 1998);

Rev. Emmanuel Nwajei, "secretary-general of Plateau State CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)" (Post Express 3 Dec. 1998);

Dr. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and [Imo] state chairman" of CAN (Post Express 10 Dec. 1999);

Rev. Monsignior N. C. Obiagba, secretary Anambra State chapter (Post Express 18 Jan. 2000);

Rev. Simon Ibrahim, Gombe State chairman (Post Express 5 Feb. 2000);

Bishop Jonah Kolo, Niger State chairman (Post Express 19 Jan. 2000b; ibid. 23 May 2000);

Anthony Okuda, member of the Kaduna relief committee (Post Express 29 Mar. 2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 22 July 2000. "Christians in Northern Nigeria State Protest Islamic Law." (NEXIS)

_____. 5 July 1995. "Nigerian Christian Group Warns Islamic Fundamentalists." (NEXIS)

All Africa News Agency. 31 August 1998. Ibrahim Omondi. "Nigerian Christians Resist Islamic Onslaught." (Africa News/NEXIS)

All Africa Press Service. 7 April 1997. "Nigerian Christians Warn President Abacha." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Arab Press Service Organisation. 31 July 1995a. "Nigeria - Profile - General Oladipo Diya." (NEXIS)

_____ 31 July 1995b. "Nigeria - Internal Divisive Factors." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 29 April 1998. Frank Aigbogun. "Government Opponents Lash Out at Nigeria Death Sentences." (NEXIS)

Carver, Richard. February 1996. Nigeria: On the Brink of Civil War? WRITENET for UNHCR/CDR. (UNHCR/CDR REFWORLD Databases).

General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. 3 November 1998. Mulegwa Zihindula. "Nigeria: A Country Profile." http:// http://gbgm-umc.org/africa/nigeria/nprofile.html [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

The Guardian [London]. 3 June 1995. "In the Lion's Den of Rising Religious Fanaticism." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) [Brussels]. 28 August 2000. Willy Fautre. "Africa: Religious Factors in African Conflicts Analyzed." http://www.hrwf.net [Accessed 31 Aug. 2000]

_____. 19 November 1999. Obed Minchakpu. "Nigeria/Christians: Christians Uncover Plan to Destroy Churches." http://www.hrwf.net [Accessed 19 Nov. 1999]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 4 September 1998. Toye Olori. "Politics-Nigeria: Power Must Shift to Women, Women's Groups Say." (NEXIS)

Manchester Guardian Weekly. 12 January 2000. Rotimi Sankore. "Nigeria's Democracy Tested by Rise in Religious Conflict." (NEXIS)

Maranatha Christian Journal [Moreno Valley, CA]. 22 December 1999. "Christians Churches Vandalized in Nigeria." http://www.mcjonline.com/news/news3744.htm [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 1 March 2000. Paul Ejime. "Nigeria; Sharia Law Suspension Brings Mixed Reaction." (Africa News/NEXIS)

P.M. News [Lagos]. 31 July 2000. Anthony Okoro. "294 Churches Destroyed in Kaduna Riot." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 19 September 2000. Lucky Imafidon. "Politics is God's Calling - Mbang." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 6 July 2000. Dele Ogunyemi. "Don't Post Christian Graduates to Sharia States, CAN Warns." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 1 July 2000. Nwaobia Chigbu. "CAN May Drop Court Action on Sharia." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 28 May 2000. Sukuji Bakoji. "Kaduna Crisis Latest: Moslem Youths Kill Catholic Priest." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 23 May 2000. Abubakar Muhammed. "Indiscriminate Arrest of Liquor Sellers in Niger Linked With Sharia." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____.12 April 2000. Bassey Inyang. "PDP Chieftan Wants Kano CAN Boss Removed." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 7 April 2000. Basset Inyang. "Kano CAN Endorses Proposed Ban on Prostitution." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 5 March 2000. "JNI, CAN Leaders Move Against Violence." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____.19 January 2000a. Leo Aligwo. "NIREC May Extend Peace Mission to Lagos." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 19 January 2000b. Abubakar Muhammed. "Niger CAN Declares Spiritual War Against Sharia." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 18 January 2000. Cyprian Ebele. "CAN Cathedral to Gulp N2b." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 10 December 1999. Ben Duru. "Governor Harps on Security." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 10 November 1999. "Bauchi CAN Condemns Sharia." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 26 October 1999. Michael Faloseyi. "Northern Governors, Maccido Shun Sharia Seminar." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 8 October 1999. Bassey Inyang. "CAN Opposes Imposition of Sharia Laws." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 14 August 1999. John Alechenu. "CAN Blames Government for Cult-related Campus Violence." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 23 July 1999.. Bassey Inyang and Doye Dappa. "CAN Condemns Demolition of Churches in Kano." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 25 May 1999. Josiah Emerole and Emma Anyigor. "Mbang Demands Payment of New Wage by States." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 14 May 1999. "We Didn't Pray for Abacha's Perpetuation - Makinde." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 7 March 1999. "... As Group Advises Falae to Accept Defeat." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 4 February 1999. John Alechenu. "CAN Vows to Resist Attempts to Tamper with Nigeria's Secularity." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 1 January 1999. "CAN Calls for Probe of Cemetery Projects." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 3 December 1998. Stephen Oboh. "CAN Petititions Coomasie Over Shut Church." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 29 October 1998. Jude Owuamanam. "... Mbang Okays Non-Compensation of Jesse Disaster Victims." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 31 July 1998. Yemisi Fadairo and Buchy Enyinnaya. ""Tanko Yusuf Tells Babaginda to Stop Comments on June 12." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 21 July 1998. Michael Omeife. "CAN Gives Condition for Secession." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 1 January 1998. Tijjani Waziri. "CAN Chief Calls for Prayer." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____.28 December 1997. "CAN Wades into Chamba-Kuteb Communal Clash." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____.22 December 1997. Agaju Madugba. "Non-Broadcast of Convert's Testimony Sets NTA, CAN on Collision Course." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 11 September 1997. Walter Ukaegbu. "CAN Advises Govt Over Taxing Churches." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 27 August 1997. Micahel Omeife. "Mbang Celebrates 61st Birthday with Call for Abiola's Release." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 18 August 1997. Anne Obi. "Apapa Christian Women Afraid of Moslem Domination." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 2 July 1997. Kolade Adeyemi. "Cleric Lambasts Politicians." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 17 May 1997. Agaju Madugba. "CAN Demands Apology From Abacha Over Gaddafi's Utterances." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

_____. 7 May 1997. Stephen Oboh. "CAN Calls for Probe of Communal Clashes in Plateau." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 19 Sept. 2000]

Radio Kudirat [Lagos]. 15 October 1999. "Christian Associationto Fight Introduction of Shari'ah Law." (BBC Monitoring 18 Oct. 1999/NEXIS)

This Day [Lagos]. 31 July 2000. Sefy Megafu and Okechukwu Kanu. "Abubakar, Brain Behind Sharia, Says CAN." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 5 July 2000. Ademola Adeyemo. "CAN Protests Posting of Christian Corpers to Sharia States." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 25 May 2000. "Death Toll Rises to 300, Obasanjo Invites Kaduna Governor for Parley." (Africa News/NEXIS)

United Nations, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 29 March 2000. "IRIN Focus on Kaduna's Displaced." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 12 January 2000. "Focus on Religious Tension." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Vanguard Daily [Lagos]. 27 August 2000. Lekan Bilesanmi. "CAN Dares Na'Abba, Reps Over Vote of No Confidence." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 20 July 2000. Rotimi Ajayi, Kenneth Ehigiator and Joanne Ezelioha. "Police Officials Get Order to Submit Weekly Reports." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

LEXIS-NEXIS

REFWORLD

World News Connection (WNC)