The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has dismissed claims that the opposition is responsible for United States President Donald Trump’s allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, Momodu said those accusing the opposition of influencing Trump’s comments had “run out of ideas.”
“Anyone suggesting the opposition is behind this is simply showing a lack of ideas,” he said. “The opposition is currently trying to reorganise itself, does anyone really believe we have time to go to Washington to influence such statements?”
Momodu criticised what he described as a recurring trend of shifting blame in Nigeria’s political space.
“In Nigeria, once something does not favour the ruling party, they blame others, even former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is no longer here,” he added.
His remarks come after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the opposition of instigating Trump’s remarks and described the development as “politics taken too far.”
Wike had argued that the opposition was attempting to create division because it was not prepared to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s potential return to power.
But Momodu urged the Tinubu administration to stop politicising the matter and focus on addressing insecurity.
Citing the outcry of Jos-based cleric, Prophet Isa El-Buba, Momodu said Christians were indeed being targeted in violent attacks.
“He never said Muslims are not being killed, but life has become so cheap. Even when 100 people are killed, the president can still travel that same night, no empathy, no sympathy.
“That is the concern being raised. It has nothing to do with politics,” he said.
This comes after Trump designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and threatened possible military action if the government fails to address the alleged killings of Christians.