Tinubu replies Trump, says Nigeria upholds religious freedom

Refuting the claims of widespread religious intolerance, President Tinubu said such portrayals “do not reflect our national reality,” emphasising that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”

President Bola Tinubu has rejected allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria, stating that the country strictly upholds the constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Mr Tinubu kicked against the claim of an existential threat to the Nigerian Christian faith made by US President Donald Trump.

He refuted the claim of widespread religious intolerance in Nigeria, saying such portrayals “do not reflect our national reality,” and emphasising that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” he said.

On Friday, the US designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, on the grounds of  “existential threat” that has led to the death of thousands of the country’s Christian population.

This status is reserved for nations that are engaged in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, as outlined in the International Religious Freedom Act.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that although these allegations are false, Mr Trump has vowed to investigate them and take further action.

The US designation followed months of campaigns and demands by some Republican lawmakers for the US to sanction Nigeria for allowing the “persecution of Christians.”

The officials had also falsely accused the federal government of facilitating this anti-Christian crusade in an attempt to rid the country of Christians.

Reacting to this, Mr Tinubu stressed the country’s commitment to upholding religious liberty and protecting citizens of all faiths.

The president stated that his administration continues to engage openly with both Christian and Muslim leaders, while addressing security challenges that affect Nigerians across all regions and religions.

He also said, “Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also earlier stated that Nigeria is committed to tackling the violent extremism “fueled by special interests who have helped drive such decay and division in countries across the intersecting West African and Sahel regions.”

“We mourn all the victims of violent extremism and salute our armed forces as they continue to fight against vicious but cowardly foes,” the ministry added.