By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
The SDP National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, has criticized Donald Trump’s recent claim that Nigeria is committing “genocide against Christians.” He referred to the claim as misleading and dangerous. He also stated that it undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Shehu Musa Gabam emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria affects people of all faiths, with both Muslims and Christians being victims of violence.
He said, “There is no religious genocide in Nigeria. Nigerians are being killed from both faiths. The tragedy is universal, not sectional.” He also highlighted that the North-East and North-West regions have seen significant violence, with thousands of Muslim victims.
He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respond diplomatically, using facts to counter Trump’s claims. He also urged the president to appoint competent ambassadors to defend Nigeria’s reputation globally. He said that Trump’s comments are not new. He recalled past remarks about Nigeria being “fantastically corrupt” and visa restrictions imposed during his tenure.
The SDP chairman said that Nigeria’s security challenges require internal solutions, not external interference or military pressure, which could worsen the situation. He called for professionalism, transparency, and respect for human rights within security agencies to restore public trust and national cohesion. He said, “Ultimately, Nigeria must fix Nigeria.”
