Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
He said the claim of Christian persecution ignores that violence affects both Christians and Muslims.
Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has faulted the decision of United States President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged mass killings of Christians by Islamic groups.
Trump made the announcement in a statement on Friday, October 31, saying the move was necessary in response to the continued persecution and killings of Christians across parts of Nigeria. The U.S. Secretary of State, Rubio, later backed the decision in a post shared on X, describing it as a needed step to protect religious freedom.
Reacting to Rubio’s comment, Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, dismissed the claims, insisting that the violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims.
In his response on X, Onanuga argued that it was misleading to portray the security crisis as a religious war. He said extremists in some regions have targeted people from both faiths, adding that such narratives distort the complex nature of Nigeria’s insecurity.
He stressed that the U.S. decision unfairly singles out Nigeria for condemnation, despite the government’s continued efforts to restore peace and address the root causes of violence across various communities.
Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to ensuring national security and promoting unity among Nigeria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups. He urged international partners to approach the issue with fairness and a deeper understanding of the country’s challenges rather than adopting what he described as one-sided conclusions.
