Genocide Claim: Sowore Warns Against Reducing Nigeria’s Crisis To Religion

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has warned against simplifying Nigeria’s complex security challenges as a purely religious issue.

He said the nation’s salvation depends on responsible leadership, not foreign intervention.

Sowore made the remark in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria.

On Friday, Trump, via his Truth Social platform, labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing alleged widespread persecution and killings of Christians.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’ My administration will stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world,” Trump wrote.

Reacting on his verified X account on Saturday, Sowore said Trump’s concern was misplaced.

He stressed that the real threat comes from decades of corruption, poor governance, and failed leadership.

“Nigeria should have long been cited as a Country of Concern for its persistent failure to protect its citizens. At every level, the state has failed to safeguard vulnerable Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers alike. Children, women, students, workers, and the elderly have all suffered under corruption and illegitimate leadership,” Sowore said.

While expressing sympathy for Christian communities in some northern states facing recurring attacks, he noted that Muslim populations in the region also endure similar threats.

“I recognise the pain of Christian communities in Benue, Plateau, Gombe, and Kaduna, just as Muslims in Katsina, Zamfara, Borno, and Yobe also need protection from marauding killers. Across the nation, Nigerians whipped by hunger, poverty, and displacement cry out for safety and dignity,” he added.