The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a firm rebuttal against the United States' recent classification of the country as a 'Country of Particular Concern' for religious freedom, vehemently denying allegations of Christian genocide.
In a strongly worded response, the government described the designation by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as baseless and lacking in factual evidence. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that Nigeria possesses a robust constitutional framework that guarantees religious freedom for all citizens.
Questioning the Narrative
The government challenged the very foundation of the US assessment, pointing out that security challenges affecting Nigerians cut across religious and ethnic lines. 'The Nigerian government does not engage in religious persecution,' Minister Idris emphasized, noting that both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered from terrorist activities and criminal elements.
Officials expressed particular concern that such international labeling could damage Nigeria's international reputation and undermine ongoing efforts to address security challenges through cooperation with international partners, including the United States.
A Call for Balanced Assessment
Rather than accepting the designation, Nigerian authorities have called for a more balanced and evidence-based approach to evaluating the country's religious freedom situation. They highlighted Nigeria's diverse religious landscape where different faiths coexist and participate fully in national life.
The rejection underscores the growing tension in Nigeria-US relations regarding how international partners assess and characterize Nigeria's complex internal security situation, particularly concerning inter-religious dynamics.
