President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the United States President, Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Naijaonpoint reports that Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, claimed that “radical Islamists” were responsible for widespread killings of Christians across Nigeria.
He subsequently designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” saying the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
In response, Tinubu, in a statement via his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, clarified that the Nigerian constitution protects citizens of all faiths.
He said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”
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