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- Tinubu rejects labelling, assures of Nigeria’s religious freedom
- Sharia council, clerics, groups condemn US president’s move, CAN seeks action against terrorism financiers
- What designation means for Nigeria – Diplomats
By Desmond Mgboh (Kano), Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Aidoghie Paulinus, Sola Ojo (Abuja) and Noah Ebije (Kaduna)
The statement by United States President Donald J. Trump, designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on account of the allegations of genocide against Christians in the country has continued to elicit sharp commendations as well as condemnations from President Bola Tinubu, religious leaders and other personalities.
President Bola Tinubu, who addressed the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by President Donald Trump, in a detailed statement posted on his official X handle @OfficialABAT, firmly rejected the characterisation, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious liberty and constitutional democracy.
In the post, the President stressed that Nigeria remains a democracy “governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
He highlighted that since his administration began in 2023, it has actively engaged Christian and Muslim leaders and worked tirelessly to address security challenges impacting citizens across different faiths and regions.
President Tinubu emphasised, “the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.”
He further underlined Nigeria’s foundational values, saying, “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
The President reiterated that the Nigerian constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths and pledged continued cooperation with the United States and the international community.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths,” he stated.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph Hayab, has appealed to the United States to take decisive actions against individuals, groups, or known terrorist organisations found to be supporting or sponsoring terrorism against any Nigerian.
He spoke in reaction to Friday’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States President, Donald Trump, over alleged killings and perceived persecution of Christians in the country.
Hayab lamented that Christian communities in the Northern region were under serious threat, stressing that lots of Christian communities have been destroyed, while members were either killed or displaced.
While speaking to Sunday Sun, Hayab urged the US government to ensure that its decisions and measures do not inflict further hardship on innocent Nigerians or expose them to greater security risks.
“We also appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently demonstrate a genuine commitment to the fight against terrorism by safeguarding the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliation. This can be achieved through the promotion and protection of religious freedom in every local community across the nation.
CPC designation serves American interest
Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who also commented on President Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, said that the declaration by the United States would only serve the interest of America rather than the interest of Nigerian Christians.
Onaiyekan, who spoke with Sunday Sun, expressed disgust over the designation, querying: “Country of Particular Concern, Concern for whom? The expression itself, for me, shows that this is not really for our own good. They say it is a country of Particular Concern, concern for themselves.”
Speaking further, Onaiyekan, a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as well as former President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, said that there was nothing for Christians in Nigeria to be excited about.
His words: “I don’t see them as concerned about me. The concern is about them, and I am not sure as a Christian, I should be jumping around and rejoicing until we see what the implications are for Nigeria. So, I am not jumping around, I am not rejoicing, nor am I crying.
“Those who want to be happy can be happy. There are some Christians who are hoping that the American Government will come with troops, take over the country. If that is their position, too bad; it is not the position of the majority of our population. We are working towards a situation where we solve our problems among ourselves.
“We are 50/50 per cent, Christians and Muslims. Nigeria cannot be comparing itself with nations that have only 10 per cent Muslims or nations that have only five per cent Muslims.”
Regarding the right thing to be done on the issue of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, Onaiyekan said those who have been persecuted should come out so that “we can join them to fight for their rights.”
Continuing, he said: “And those who seriously feel that there is genocide being committed against them, they should put their act together and bring their case very clearly to Nigerians.”
Be calm, pray for Nigeria
Reacting to the CPC designation, the Kaduna State chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) yesterday berated Trump for the CPC designation.
In a chat with Sunday Sun, the Secretary of the chapter, AbudurRahman Hassan, said: “We strongly condemn this decision by the U.S President, and to Nigerians, we sue for calm and prayers for our dear country. The government must do more than an ordinary press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Stern action must be taken, even if it’s cutting diplomatic ties, to show the gravity of the situation.
“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) is not happy with this development on allegations regarding Christian genocide in Nigeria. The Trump administration would have sought a balanced perspective on the situation before jumping to conclusion. Though there is no surprise in America’s stand on Nigerian Muslims, because anywhere Muslims are killed, it doesn’t concern the West and the United States.
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“And to CAN who initiated these lies, they should know that when Nigeria sinks (may Allah forbid), it’s all of us that will bear the brunt.
“Christians, Muslims and even pagans will not be spared. The ongoing conflicts in various regions of Nigeria are as a result of issues stemming from a complex web of ethnic, political, and economic factors rather than a singular agenda against Christians. After all, by statistics, it’s clear that Muslims are mostly the victims in various instances. We are of the opinion that attributing these tensions solely to religious motivations oversimplifies the realities on the ground and undermines efforts toward national unity and peace.
“We advocate unity among Nigeria’s diverse religious groups as a means to combat the violence plaguing the nation, and solve our differences between us, without inviting bloodthirsty imperialists to destroy the only nation we have. Cooperative efforts towards understanding and addressing the root causes of conflict can foster peace and stability for all citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and work towards a future that honours the rights and dignity of all its peoples.”
US attempt to destabilise the country
In a similar manner, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) strongly condemned Trump, describing the CPC designation as a veiled attempt by the West to sow religious division and destabilise the country.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, ATT Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu accused the Western world of using religion as a tool of manipulation after failing in previous efforts to undermine Nigeria’s unity and progress.
“We condemn the Western world’s stance aimed at creating a religious crisis in Nigeria, using some of our own people as collaborators,” Yakubu said.
He noted further: “For decades, Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have lived together in peace, mutual respect, and understanding — and will continue to do so. Both faiths share a common enemy: the radical terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP, whose heinous acts have claimed more Muslim lives than Christian ones, according to credible statistics.”
Yakubu stressed that what Nigerians truly need from the United States is a genuine partnership in combating terrorism.
Insecurity has no religion – Gumi
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, described the move as politically motivated and baseless, stressing that the allegation of targeted persecution against Christians in Nigeria does not reflect the reality on the ground.
According to him, insecurity in the country affects all citizens equally, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“Nigerians are suffering from insecurity, but this insecurity has no regard for faith, religion, or ethnicity.
It is a general problem caused by circumstances that were not properly managed from the beginning,” he said.
He cited the evolution of insurgent and armed groups such as Boko Haram and bandits as examples of crises that began from local grievances that were never resolved through dialogue.
“If you look at Boko Haram, they started after their members were extra-judicially killed. Banditry also escalated after vigilantes and some military operations attacked communities in error. Instead of dialogue, we continue using force. Experts say kinetic action contributes only about 25 per cent to solving insecurity. Until we embrace dialogue with these groups, Nigeria will continue to struggle with peace.
Group refutes Christian genocide claims
National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ), a supporter group of Bola Tinubu in 2023 presidential race, Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje dismissed the alleged existence of a religious genocide in Nigeria, describing such assertions as misleading and detrimental to the nation’s unity and image.
Alawuje appealed for greater unity across religious and regional lines, calling on both Christians and Muslims to safeguard Nigeria’s peace and collective future.
“Nigerian Christians and Muslims must stand together and say no to any ungodly mission against our nation. We call on Almighty God to protect Nigeria and all Nigerians from the grip of external manipulation,” he said.
Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, strongly condemned the alleged religious persecution of Christians, describing the move as politically motivated, misleading, and dangerous to Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty, and urged the Federal Government to take decisive diplomatic and political action in response.
MPAC Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, said the U.S. decision was based on a distorted narrative that ignored the complex causes of Nigeria’s insecurity. He described the designation as a “premeditated, politically motivated act” designed to weaponise religion against Nigeria’s stability.
US sanctions Christians, Muslims
Leading scholar in Islamic history and onetime Director General of Research and Documentation, Kano State, Ibrahim Ado Kurawa, faulted President Donald Trump’s decision to list Nigeria as a CPC.
Speaking to Sunday Sun in Kano, Ado said: “We all know that there are security challenges in the whole of North West apart from Kano and Jigawa States. And most of the people affected in this instance are Muslims. We all know what is happening is Boko Haram insurgents. And again, most of the people who are affected are also Muslims.
“I think that Donald Trump is just doing this to push for more concessions in terms of our natural resources, more businesses and understanding from the Nigerian government in terms of oil and natural resources.”
Ado stressed that Nigeria will never concede to Trump’s desires but will uphold its own laws.
