…Says designation ‘politically-motivated’ threatens Nigeria’s unity
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and rejected the United States’ redesignation of the country as a “nation of particular concern,” describing both as false, dangerous, and politically driven narratives.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday after a meeting of Islamic organisations nationwide, NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, said the renewed Western claims of religious persecution in Nigeria were part of a coordinated campaign to destabilise the country.
“The violence in parts of Nigeria is not a religious war. It is driven by criminality, poverty, bad governance, and climate-induced migration. There is no Christian terrorism or Muslim terrorism in Nigeria – only criminals exploiting our divisions”, Oloyede said.
The NSCIA Sec-Gen. accused certain Nigerian separatist groups, foreign lobbyists, and U.S. politicians of peddling fabricated reports and doctored videos to justify punitive actions against Nigeria. According to him, President Donald Trump’s remarks on “Christian mass killings” and the threat of military intervention were “reckless and misleading.
“The CPC tag is not a reflection of facts on the ground, but a political tool wielded by those who wish to paint Nigeria as a failed religious state”, he added.
The NSCIA urged both the Nigerian government and the international community to reject what it called a “false and destabilising narrative,” appealing instead for constructive global cooperation in intelligence sharing, climate action, and poverty alleviation.
“Muslims and Christians must stand together against criminals, not each other”, Oloyede concluded.
