Christian Association of Nigeria

==History==
The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and [[Mainline (Protestant)|mainline]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] groups. However, it later expanded to include [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] churches as well.<ref name=pew>{{cite web|url=http://pewforum.org/surveys/pentecostal/countries/?CountryID=150 |title=Pentecostalism in Nigeria |accessdate=13 September 2007 |work=PewForum.org |publisher=[[Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306063843/http://pewforum.org/surveys/pentecostal/countries/?CountryID=150 |archivedate=6 March 2008|url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2000, the CAN protested the adoption of [[Sharia]] law in northern states.<ref name=wn>{{cite news|first=Obed |last=Minchakpu |title=Nigerian Churches will Challenge Islamic Law |url=http://www.worthynews.com/news-features/compass-nigeria-sharia.html |work=Compass |publisher=Compass Direct News Service |date=2000 |accessdate=13 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911040456/http://www.worthynews.com/news-features/compass-nigeria-sharia.html |archivedate=11 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2006, while President of the organisation, Akinola issued a statement in response to [[Islam in Nigeria|Muslim]] violence against Christians, telling Muslims that they did not have a "monopoly on violence". The following day, Christians rioted in retaliation against Muslims, leading to more than 70 deaths.<ref name=ek>{{cite news |title= Christians kill Muslims following warning by Nigerian Archbishop |url=http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060223nigeria.shtml |work=Ekklesia.co.uk |publisher= [[Ekklesia (think tank)|Ekklesia]]|date=23 February 2006 |accessdate=13 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/nigeria/2|title=God's Country|publisher=[[The Atlantic]]|date=1 March 2008|accessdate=19 September 2009|archive-date=14 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514040428/http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/nigeria/2|url-status=dead}}</ref> Akinola later claimed his statements had been misinterpreted in the western media. He even threatened to resign in case the riots should continue.<ref>[http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/weblog/comments/reactions_to_violence_in_nigeria_archbishop_peter_akinola_explains/ ''Reactions to violence in Nigeria: Archbishop Peter Akinola explains'', Christianity Today]</ref>

On 2 May 2004, more than 630 Christians were killed in [[Yelwa]], [[Nigeria]]. The dead were pinned white name tags identifying them as members of the CAN.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3689615.stm Eyewitness: Nigeria's 'town of death']</ref> The massacre is known as the [[Yelwa massacre]].