Former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman Sam Amadi has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress to cease circulating forged documents following the emergence of a fabricated statement attributed to a Catholic youth organization.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Amadi argued the party could defend its positions without resorting to forgery. “Is it not possible for APC to stop forgery? You can make a powerful counter argument without resorting to forgery. Forgery is not good. Please stop,” he wrote.
The appeal came after the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria disowned a document titled “Our Faith Must Rise Above Partisan Politics” that had been circulating on social media. The statement, bearing the name “Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria, CYAN,” purported to respond to recent remarks by Cardinal John Onaiyekan.
In a disclaimer jointly signed by National President Gosife Kizito Eze, National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Maurice Mbeke, and National Secretary Francisca A. Adesokan, CYON described the document as “false, fraudulent and unauthorised.” The organization clarified that no entity named the Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria exists and that the publication neither originated from nor reflected the position of CYON.
The group urged the public to disregard the document, characterizing it as a deliberate act of impersonation designed to mislead Nigerians and the Catholic faithful. CYON also said it reserved the right to pursue legal action against those responsible for creating and disseminating the forged statement.
The controversy highlights growing concerns over the use of fabricated communications to manipulate public perception in Nigeria’s charged political environment. Religious organizations have increasingly found themselves targeted by disinformation campaigns seeking to co-opt their moral authority for partisan ends.
Observers note that the incident underscores the need for political actors to engage in debate through verified channels rather than manufactured endorsements. As digital platforms amplify the reach of false narratives, institutions face mounting pressure to issue rapid clarifications to protect their credibility.
CYON’s threat of legal action may set a precedent for how religious bodies respond to political impersonation. The development also raises questions about accountability for political operatives who deploy forgery as a tactic, particularly when such material exploits the trust placed in faith-based organizations.
