Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has launched a scathing critique against United States President Donald Trump, dismissing the narrative of a "Christian genocide" in Nigeria as a cynical ploy. Sowore argues the claim is designed to manipulate global sentiment and justify resource-driven foreign intervention rather than stemming from any authentic humanitarian concern for Nigerians.
A Calculated Narrative for Imperial Aims
In a detailed post on his official X account on Friday, January 9, 2026, Sowore reacted to President Trump's recent policy shift. This came after U.S. airstrikes against ISIL targets on December 25, 2025, and a subsequent admission by Trump that Muslims are also victims of Nigeria's pervasive insecurity.
Sowore characterized Trump as an imperialist leader who uses emotionally charged but debunked narratives as a mere pretext. "Emperor Donald Trump wakes up, intoxicated by U.S. military power, scans the globe, and fixes his gaze on any part of the earth rich in oil or so-called rare earth minerals," Sowore wrote. He added that the justification for invasion is secondary, needing only to "match the gullibility of the intended audience."
"I have always maintained that the Nigerian 'Christian genocide' narrative is a calculated ruse, crafted to occupy a popular emotional space. It worked wonders!" Sowore stated, emphasizing the strategic nature of the claim.
History of Intervention and a Warning for Nigeria
This is not the first time Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has cautioned against Trump's threats. In November 2025, he condemned Trump's statement about considering a "guns-a-blazing" military deployment to Nigeria to halt the killing of Christians.
Sowore urged Nigerians not to misinterpret such threats as acts of solidarity. He pointed to the destructive legacy of past U.S. military campaigns as a clear warning:
- Afghanistan: Where intervention failed to secure lasting peace.
- Iraq and Libya: Nations left in profound instability.
- Syria: Another example of deepened crisis post-intervention.
"The United States and its allies have a long record of military interventions that leave nations more unstable than before," he argued. "They won’t bring salvation to Nigeria through bombs or boots on the ground."
The Call for Internal Solutions Over Foreign Saviours
At the core of Sowore's argument is a firm rejection of external rescue. He asserts that Nigeria's complex challenges of insecurity, corruption, and violence cannot be solved by foreign military force.
"What Nigeria truly needs is not a foreign saviour, but legitimate, accountable leadership, one that protects all citizens, upholds justice, and ends the cycles of corruption and violence," he stated. Sowore stressed that deliverance must come from within through transparent leadership and institutional reform.
He concluded with a blunt assessment of Trump's motives: "Donald Trump does not care about Nigerians, not Christians, Muslims, or anyone else... He loves only himself and his account balance. Everything else is theatre." This commentary follows Trump's earlier move to designate Nigeria a "country of particular concern" over allegations of Christian persecution.
