Christian genocide: Atiku, Obi, others mum as tension mounts over Trump’s military invasion threat

Mixed reactions have continued to trail United States President, Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria.

Trump had, on Friday, designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns, CPC, saying that Christians in the country are facing an “existential threat”.

The US President called on American lawmakers to investigate the “mass slaughter” of Christians.

A few hours after Nigeria was designated, Trump threatened to send US forces into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing”, stating that if Africa’s most populous country does not stem what he described as the killing of Christians by Islamists extremists, the US intervenes.

While Trump’s move triggered panic among a cross section of Nigerians, others seemed elated by the development.

Government officials, Islamic scholars and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are vehemently denying the genocide claims, insisting that the deteriorating security situation does not target a particular religion.

To them, President Trump’s move has ulterior motives as they alleged that the decision is beyond just protecting Christians in Nigeria.

However, some stakeholders, particularly Christians, welcomed Trump’s move to take out the perpetrators of the alleged Christian massacre.

Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, major national opposition leaders, especially those plotting President Bola Tinubu’s removal in 2027, are yet to comment on the matter.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, have maintained silence on the matter.

Similarly, the former governors of Kaduna and Rivers States, Nasir El-rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, who have been previously vocal on national issues, have decided to sit on the fence.

A public affairs analyst, Moses Jibila attributed their silence to 2027 ambitions.

He said, “They are being careful because this is a very sensitive matter. They know the truth but because of their selfish interests, they won’t say anything.

“Someone like Atiku would prefer not to talk because he is going to be in trouble if he takes a stand on the issue.

“For example, Atiku cannot say there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, if he does that, the Christians will come for him and they will punish him through the ballots.

“And if he backs Trump, his Muslim brothers will come for him.

“The same way Obi and others are feeling. It is all about their selfish interests”.

Nigeria as CPC

This is the second time President Trump is designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

Prior to his exit from the White House in 2020, Nigeria was designated as CPC but the Joe Biden administration later reversed the policy.

The “Country of Particular Concern” status is an official classification under the US International Religious Freedom Act, IRFA of 1998.

The law applies to nations found to be engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

Other countries designated as CPC

Nigeria seems not alone as the United States government had previously designated at least 14 other countries.

Some of the nations labeled as CPCs include China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Eritrea.

Others are Burma, Cuba, Nicaragua, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

According to reports, the designated countries have been cited for long-term, state-sanctioned restrictions on religious practice or persecution of minority faiths.

Tinubu to meet Trump

President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet his United States, US, counterpart, Donald Trump “in the coming days” to address the situation.

Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on policy communication, who disclosed this on Sunday, said the meeting will hold “either in the State House or White House.”

Bwala expressed optimism that the genocide claims “would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders” when they meet.

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