- No Christian or Muslim Genocide in Nigeria, Tinubu Insists
- Claims recent allegations portraying Nigeria as a country that tolerates religious persecution were false and dangerous
- Urged Nigerians to reject narratives aimed at dividing the country
President Bola Tinubu has once again rejected claims that Christians are being targeted for killing in Nigeria, insisting that there is no religious genocide in the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the President said Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by criminality, terrorism and extremism, not by religious persecution of Christians or Muslims.
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Tinubu spoke on Friday in Abuja while declaring open the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society, NASFAT. He was represented at the event by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Speaking on the theme, “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community,” the President said recent allegations portraying Nigeria as a country that tolerates religious persecution were false and dangerous.
He said such claims were capable of inflaming tensions and undermining the peaceful coexistence Nigerians have continued to build over the years.
“In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation,” Tinubu said.
The President’s remarks followed recent comments by former United States President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being targeted for killing in Nigeria and threatened possible US intervention if the Federal Government failed to act. Trump had also designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
The comments generated controversy both locally and internationally, prompting the Federal Government to dispatch a delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to engage US lawmakers and clarify Nigeria’s security realities.
Tinubu said Nigeria had responded firmly to the allegations, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorist violence in the country.
“As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to promoting national unity, religious freedom and the protection of lives, urging Nigerians to reject narratives aimed at dividing the country.
“We must not allow internal or external forces to sow discord or promote dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation,” the President said.
Tinubu described Nigeria’s diversity as a strength, noting that the country has always thrived on peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.
He commended NASFAT for its role in promoting moderation, tolerance and national unity, urging religious leaders to continue preaching peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
“Our differences are a divine design, not a source of conflict,” he added.
The keynote speaker at the conference, Dr Nurudeen Lemu, called on Muslims to remain steadfast in faith and optimistic despite the challenges facing the nation.
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