Fresh Mystery in Tinubu-Catholic Face-Off: Who Forged the Viral Youth Statement?

By Passman Akpos

Abuja, Nigeria – The Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) has distanced itself from a viral document titled “Our Faith Must Rise Above Partisan Politics,” describing it as fake, fraudulent, unauthorized, null and void, while warning Nigerians against falling for what it called a deliberate act of impersonation.

In an official disclaimer signed by National President Goslfe Kizito Eze, National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke, and National Secretary Francisca A. Adesokan, the organisation said its National Executive Council (NEC) had become aware of a document circulating on social media, purportedly issued by a group identified as the “Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYAN).”According to CYON, the publication neither originated from the organisation nor reflects its official position.

The youth body maintained that the document was a calculated attempt to mislead Nigerians, Catholic faithful and the general public by using a fake identity, logo, branding and contact details designed to appear authentic.

CYON stressed that the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) remains the only recognised national umbrella body for Catholic youths in Nigeria, insisting that the so-called “Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYAN)” has no legal or ecclesiastical recognition.

“The publication is false, fraudulent, unauthorized and a deliberate act of impersonation. It did not originate from CYON and does not represent the position or official communication of the organisation,” the statement read.

The organisation further clarified that it neither authored nor approved the controversial open letter, adding that every opinion contained in the publication remains solely the responsibility of its unknown authors.

The disclaimer comes amid heightened public debate following comments by John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan after a meeting between the Catholic Bishops and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Cardinal Onaiyekan had said the bishops used the meeting to present what they described as the true state of Nigeria, highlighting worsening economic hardship and insecurity. He also alleged that some presidential aides were presenting an overly optimistic picture of the country’s situation to the President, while expressing concern over what he described as growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His remarks triggered a sharp response from the Presidency, which rejected the Cardinal’s claims and argued that President Tinubu had adequately addressed the bishops’ concerns during the meeting.

Against this backdrop, the fake letter had attempted to portray itself as the position of Catholic youths, urging a distinction between the Church’s moral teachings and partisan political opinions. However, CYON has now categorically rejected the publication.

The organisation warned Catholic youths, clergy, religious, lay faithful, media organisations and the general public not to circulate or rely on the fake document, noting that all official communications are issued only through duly authorised national officers and recognised communication channels.

CYON reaffirmed its loyalty to the Catholic Church and its full communion with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), pledging continued commitment to promoting the Gospel values of truth, peace, justice, unity and responsible citizenship.

The organisation also reserved the right to pursue legal action against those behind the alleged impersonation, insisting that the purported open letter remains “FAKE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORISED, NULL, VOID AND OF NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER.”