The Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) has issued an official disclaimer distancing itself from a document circulating on social media under the title “Our Faith Must Rise Above Partisan Politics.”
In a statement dated Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and signed by National President Gosifie Kizito Eze, National Secretary Francisca A. Adesokan, and National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke, the organisation described the publication as “false, fraudulent, unauthorised and a deliberate act of impersonation.”
According to CYON, the controversial document did not originate from the organisation and does not represent its official position. The group alleged that unknown individuals falsely used the name “Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYAN)”, together with fake letterheads, logos, branding, and contact details, in what it described as a calculated attempt to mislead Nigerians, Catholic faithful, and the general public.
The organisation clarified that Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) is the only recognised national youth body under the Catholic Church in Nigeria and remains in full communion with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
CYON further stated that it neither authorised nor approved the publication and stressed that all opinions and claims contained in the disputed document remain the responsibility of its unknown authors.
The youth body condemned what it termed an act of impersonation, warned that it reserves the right to pursue legal action against those responsible, and urged members of the public to disregard the purported open letter and refrain from circulating or relying on it.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Church’s mission, CYON said it remains dedicated to promoting the Gospel values of truth, peace, justice, unity, and responsible citizenship.
The statement concluded by declaring the purported open letter “FAKE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORISED, NULL, VOID AND OF NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER.”
