Nigeria’s President Pushes Back Against Trump’s Claims of Persecution

UPDATE: Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is urgently responding to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s alarming claims that Christians in Nigeria are facing an “existential threat.” In a strong social media statement released on July 15, 2023, Tinubu declared that Trump’s designation of Nigeria as “a country of particular concern” for religious intolerance does not reflect the nation’s reality.

Tinubu emphasized, “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.” He firmly stated that Nigeria opposes religious persecution and protects citizens of all faiths under its constitutional guarantees.

Trump’s comments came just days after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz urged Congress to classify Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom, citing claims of “Christian mass murder.” Trump’s post claimed, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” attributing the violence to “radical Islamists” responsible for horrific attacks.

Nigeria, home to approximately 220 million people, has a nearly equal split of Christians and Muslims, making the country a significant focal point in global religious discussions. The nation has endured severe insecurity from various extremist groups, notably Boko Haram, which targets both Christians and Muslims deemed insufficiently devout.

The violence in Nigeria stems from multiple sources, including religious motivations, conflicts between farmers and herders over scarce resources, and ethnic tensions. Analysts highlight that while Christians are indeed victims of violence, the majority of casualties from armed groups are Muslims living in the northern regions of Nigeria.

In light of Trump’s statements, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith. “The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” Ebienfa stated, reinforcing the nation’s dedication to diversity as its strength.

This current dispute arises after Nigeria was first placed on the “country of particular concern” list by the U.S. in 2020, due to what the State Department described as “systematic violations of religious freedom.” The designation was lifted in 2023, coinciding with efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties ahead of then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Nigeria.

As tensions rise and the international community watches closely, the Nigerian government insists it will persist in its fight against religious persecution. Observers are now looking for further developments and responses from both U.S. and Nigerian officials as this situation unfolds.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.