Nigeria’s Civil Society Condemns U.S. Statements on Religious Freedom
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria has raised serious concerns over recent statements made by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. These statements included a threat of possible military action in Nigeria to protect Christians from terrorist attacks and the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
The coalition emphasized that these developments are an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and a challenge to its democratic values. They described it as an insult to the nation’s democratic integrity and a threat to peace, security, and stability across West Africa. The group called on the United States Congress to act responsibly by rejecting these reckless threats and reviewing the CPC designation, which they claim presents a distorted image of Nigeria.
During a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, the coalition also petitioned the U.S. Congress, the U.S. embassy in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other Nigerian authorities. The coalition, led by the National Coordinator of Activists for Good Governance (AGG), Mr. Declan Ihekaire, stressed that Nigeria is a vibrant democracy with a constitutional framework that guarantees freedom of religion, belief, and association to all citizens.
A Democratic Framework with Regular Elections
Since returning to democratic governance in 1999, Nigeria has held free and fair elections every four years, with peaceful transitions of power. No Nigerian leader has served for life, and the coalition highlighted that while the country’s democracy is not perfect, it continues to deepen through the will of the people.
Religious diversity is considered one of Nigeria’s greatest strengths. Christians and Muslims coexist throughout the country, alongside millions who practice traditional faiths. Nigerian federal and state institutions reflect this pluralism, and successive governments, including the current administration, have worked closely with religious and community leaders to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Addressing Misrepresentation of Religious Persecution
The coalition addressed what they termed as the “misrepresentation of religious persecution” in Nigeria. They stated that the narrative claiming Nigeria persecutes Christians is false and misleading. Security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, and communal violence affect citizens of all faiths.
Extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have killed more Muslims than Christians, as their strongholds are in predominantly Muslim northern states. Similarly, bandits in the Northwest have attacked both Muslim and Christian communities. The coalition argued that portraying Nigeria as a state-driven violator of religious freedom is a distortion of facts.
They added that these security challenges stem from poverty, extremism, and governance gaps—not from state-sponsored religious persecution.
Reactions to U.S. Threats
Ihekaire criticized President Trump’s statement threatening military intervention in Nigeria, allegedly to “protect Christians,” calling it irresponsible and unlawful. He pointed out that such actions violate the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This also contravenes the principles of the African Union Constitutive Act, which upholds sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.
He referenced historical examples such as interventions in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, where similar actions led to devastation rather than peace. These interventions, he said, have never delivered peace but only chaos and lasting instability.
Nigeria’s Need for International Support
Despite the criticism, Ihekaire noted that Trump’s threat has prompted the Nigerian government to take notice. However, he emphasized that Nigeria does not need foreign bombs or boots on its soil. Instead, the country requires international cooperation, intelligence support, and developmental partnerships to help defeat terrorism and strengthen the rule of law.
During the protest, the state House of Assembly Majority Leader, Naheem Adam, described the demonstration as peaceful and legal. He acknowledged the importance of civil society in a democracy and promised to submit the petition to the Assembly leadership, which would then forward it to the U.S. embassy in Abuja, President Tinubu, and other relevant authorities.