In a significant development that has sparked national conversation, a federal lawmaker from Kwara State has raised critical questions about the origins of data suggesting genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Questioning the Narrative
Honourable Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin, the National Assembly member representing Irepodun/Isin/Ekiti/Oke-Ero federal constituency, openly wondered who coined the phrase "genocide against Christians" that has dominated recent public discourse in the country.
The lawmaker expressed his concerns while addressing journalists after a meeting of elders from Irepodun Local Government Area held at Thomas Adewumi Secondary School in Oko on Saturday, November 17, 2025.
"But, come to think of it, who coined this divisive sentence that is troubling our unity in the country?" Ajuloopin questioned, describing the terminology as potentially harmful to national cohesion.
Political Motivation Behind the Claims
The legislator characterized the genocide narrative as a political statement engineered by individuals seeking to benefit from Nigeria's disunity. He challenged the credibility of the data supporting these claims, asking pointed questions about its compilation.
"This is a political statement by those who want to benefit from it," Ajuloopin asserted. "Who collated the data that eventually showed that Christians were, over the years, being targeted for extinction in Nigeria? Who brought up that idea?"
His comments come amid growing tensions in various parts of the country where religious conflicts have occasionally surfaced, though the lawmaker suggested the genocide framing might be exaggerated for political purposes.
Unity Gathering in Irepodun
The meeting that prompted these remarks was convened by Engineer Thomas Adewumi, founder and proprietor of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU) in Oko-Irese. The primary objective was to strengthen the council area's negotiating position ahead of the 2027 political season.
Ajuloopin explained that the gathering addressed grievances among leaders, elders, and political appointees in the area to foster development and unity. He described it as a family meeting that successfully resolved internal conflicts.
"This is a political/family meeting. We have been able to manage our crises and are able to come out stronger," the lawmaker stated, acknowledging that "pockets of crises occasioned largely by misunderstanding" had been resolved through open dialogue.
Stakeholders Emphasize Development Through Unity
Engineer Thomas Adewumi, the convener, emphasized that the development desperately needed in Irepodun would remain elusive without unity among the people. His comments underscored the practical benefits of political reconciliation.
"The aim of this meeting is to further unity among our people in Irepodun. We are looking for development, which can never be achieved without unity," Adewumi explained. "We came together to bury the hatchets, and luckily, all of us have agreed to work together to achieve one goal for Irepodun. This is a successful meeting."
Former commissioner for communication in Kwara State, Raheem Adedoyin, echoed these sentiments, noting that attendees were committed to building a more unified Kwara South, starting from Irepodun Local Government Area. "Our major focus is to make Kwara better," he stated.
The meeting also featured chants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) slogan, which Oloriewe, as Ajuloopin is fondly called, defended by saying "APC is all about perfection: Once we get it right in APC, we will get it right in Irepodun."
This gathering represents a significant step toward political reconciliation in Kwara State while simultaneously addressing national concerns about divisive narratives that threaten Nigeria's fragile unity.
