The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has cautioned political actors and public opinion leaders against making divisive statements over the recent threat by U.S President Donald Trump to consider military action against Nigeria over alleged Christian genocide.
NNPP Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, in a statement issued Monday in Lagos, warned that such a sensitive matter must not be trivialised, politicised or viewed through partisan lenses. He said all Nigerian leaders must prioritise national interest and present a united position in defence of the country’s sovereignty and image.
Aniebonam stressed that insecurity in Nigeria is not a religious conflict, as being insinuated internationally, but a national challenge that the government is actively confronting through reforms and ongoing security operations.
“Indeed the level of insecurity is quite high, but it is not about Christians or Muslims. Nigeria is doing a lot to combat kidnapping, organ trafficking, killings by agitators and other violent crimes. This is a time to support government strategies, not inflame division,” he said.
He noted that Trump must also be aware of the far-reaching global, regional and economic consequences of invading Nigeria, adding that the U.S threat should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders — across political parties, states, local governments, traditional and religious institutions — to act decisively.
Aniebonam said insecurity remains surmountable if leaders can put aside blame games, propaganda and political rivalry, and work collectively towards national stability.
“This is no longer about name-calling. It is about what we must now do as a nation to end the killings and protect the wellbeing of Nigerians,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu, in his response on Friday, rejected claims of a Christian genocide, maintaining that Nigeria upholds constitutional religious freedom and does not encourage persecution of any faith.
Trump had, via his Truth Social platform, threatened to suspend U.S aid to Nigeria and directed his Department of War to prepare for possible intervention if the alleged persecution persists.
Leave a Reply