The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace has made an urgent appeal to religious leaders across Nigeria to exercise restraint and promote dialogue following controversial claims by the United States government about Christian genocide in the country.
Trump's Statements Spark National Debate
Between October 31 and November 1, former US President Donald Trump used his X platform account to condemn the ongoing violence in Nigeria. The former leader declared America's readiness to provide military assistance if the Nigerian government fails to stop attacks by jihadist groups.
These statements have ignited intense discussions across the nation, with religious organizations taking opposing positions on the matter.
Divided Religious Responses
The Christian Association of Nigeria has supported Trump's assertion, arguing that Christian communities in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt face systematic persecution. However, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as false and dangerous.
The Islamic council maintains that Nigeria's security challenges stem from terrorism, criminal activities, and ecological pressures rather than religious motivations.
Interfaith Forum's Peace Appeal
In a statement released on Saturday and jointly signed by IDFP Co-Chairs Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman and Dr. Yussuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu, the forum condemned all forms of violence, hate speech, and incitement.
The organization specifically appealed to faith leaders, communities, and institutions to reject retaliation and prioritize peaceful engagement during this sensitive period.
The statement acknowledged the profound pain and grief experienced by families across Nigeria who have lost loved ones to violence, emphasizing that every life lost is one too many.
The loss of any Nigerian, whether Christian, Muslim, or of other faiths, diminishes us all, the forum declared in their official communication.
Call for National Unity and Government Action
The Interfaith Dialogue Forum stressed that Nigeria's diversity should serve as a foundation for understanding and progress rather than division. They urged political, religious, and social actors to avoid actions or statements that could inflame tensions.
The forum also called on the government to act decisively and responsibly in addressing security challenges, ensuring equal protection for all Nigerians regardless of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
Peace is sustained through fairness, accountability, justice, and the rule of law, the statement concluded, emphasizing that only through these principles can trust be rebuilt and harmony restored across communities.
