The Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) has distanced itself from a viral political statement purporting to address the controversy surrounding comments by former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The organisation described the document, titled ‘Our Faith Must Rise Above Partisan Politics,’ as fake, fraudulent and unauthorised, warning the public against attributing it to the body.
The disclaimer followed the circulation of the purported open letter on social media, where it criticised the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and accused Cardinal Onaiyekan of allegedly showing disrespect to President Tinubu.
The publication sparked widespread reactions before CYON issued its clarification.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by its National President, Gosife Kizito Eze; National Secretary, Francesca A. Adesokan; and National Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke, the organisation said the publication neither originated from nor reflected the position of the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria.
‘The publication is false, fraudulent, unauthorised 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 said.
The organisation clarified that the only recognised national body representing Catholic youths in the country is the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, adding that the group identified in the document as the Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYAN) is unknown to the Church and has no recognised existence.
It also said the letterhead, logo, branding and contact details contained in the viral document were fake and deliberately designed to give the impression of authenticity.
According to CYON, its National Executive Council neither authored nor approved the publication, stressing that all opinions and allegations contained in the document remain the responsibility of its unknown authors.
The organisation condemned what it described as a calculated act of impersonation and warned that it reserved the right to pursue all lawful remedies against those behind the publication.
It urged Catholic youths, members of the clergy, religious, the lay faithful, media organisations and the general public to disregard the document and avoid sharing or relying on its contents.
The organisation added that all official communications are issued only through its duly authorised national officers and recognised communication channels.
Reaffirming its allegiance to the Catholic Church, CYON said it remains in full communion with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and is committed to promoting the Gospel values of truth, justice, peace, unity and responsible citizenship.
The disclaimer comes amid heightened public debate over recent comments by Cardinal Onaiyekan on national issues, which have attracted reactions from political figures and civil society groups.
However, CYON insisted it should not be drawn into partisan political narratives by publications falsely attributed to it.
‘For the avoidance of doubt, the purported ‘Open Letter’ is hereby declared fake, fraudulent, unauthorised, null, void and of no effect whatsoever,’ the statement concluded.