The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has launched a strong rebuttal against the United States government's recent classification of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" over alleged Christian persecution.
Political Motives Behind US Designation
During a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, November 9, the Islamic body described the American decision as a political maneuver based on false information about religious targeting in Nigeria. The Council pointed fingers at what it called "Islamophobic and unpatriotic Nigerians" who allegedly misled US authorities into believing Christians face systematic persecution.
The NSCIA emphasized that the widespread violence affecting the nation represents a national security challenge rather than religious conflict, with both Muslim and Christian communities suffering equally from terrorism and banditry. "We have not been emphasizing the killings of Muslims because we do not see it as a religious war, but a national security issue," the Council stated authoritatively.
Evidence Contradicts Genocide Claims
The Islamic council presented compelling evidence from international monitoring organizations to support its position. Quoting directly from Amnesty International and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the NSCIA highlighted that these independent reports found "no evidence of religious motivation" behind the killings occurring across Nigeria.
According to the Council's analysis, the actual drivers of violence include multiple factors:
- Ecological pressures and climate change effects
- Widespread poverty and unemployment
- Criminal activities and governance failures
- Illegal mining operations
"This is not an Islamist invasion; it is a desperate struggle for survival," the Council explained, painting a picture of complex socioeconomic challenges rather than religious warfare.
Foreign Influence and Domestic Division
The NSCIA didn't mince words when identifying those it believes are promoting false genocide narratives. The Council specifically named US Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore as foreign politicians "energizing their domestic evangelical base" through misinformation campaigns.
Additionally, the Islamic body accused Nigerian separatist groups and local "crisis entrepreneurs" of exploiting religious tensions for personal or political gain. One particular group mentioned was the "Biafra Republic Government In-Exile," which the NSCIA claims has spent millions of dollars on Washington lobbying efforts to portray Nigeria as unsafe for Christians.
The Council suggested a possible connection between Nigeria's growing international partnerships and the US designation. "This campaign escalated after Nigeria reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution and the Palestinian people," the statement noted, referencing Nigeria's strengthened ties with China and its pro-Palestine stance at the United Nations.
Appeal for National Unity
In a direct message to Nigerian Christians, the NSCIA emphasized solidarity rather than division. "You are not our enemies; you are our compatriots and neighbors. We are all victims of a failed security system and criminal insurgency," the Council's statement affirmed passionately.
The Islamic body called on the United States government to reverse the CPC designation and instead provide Nigeria with practical assistance in intelligence sharing and logistical support. The Council warned that actions that could "fragment the nation" should be avoided at all costs.
The NSCIA concluded with a powerful declaration: "We affirm that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. There is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we face is poverty, climate change, bad governance, and crime. Nigeria's unity will not be broken by lies."
