The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of betraying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite what it called his “generous consideration” for Christians in federal appointments.
This follows reports that former US President Donald Trump has returned Nigeria to the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged genocide against Christians. In a statement issued by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC faulted some Christian leaders for allegedly writing to the US government about religious killings in Nigeria.
“Despite vehement denial of Christian genocide by the Nigerian government, US President Donald Trump yesterday redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern,” Akintola said.
The group described the US decision as “misplaced and distorted,” insisting that it misrepresented the actual situation in the country.
“This redesignation is blurred, misplaced and distorted. It is a complete misrepresentation of the true picture on the ground in Nigeria,” MURIC said.
The organisation accused certain Christian leaders of tarnishing Nigeria’s image abroad, alleging that CAN helped spread claims that Christians were being singled out for attacks instead of correcting the “false and misleading narrative.”
“It will be recalled that some Christian leaders had written frivolous petitions to the US Congress, claiming that Christians were the only ones being killed by terrorists in Nigeria. Instead of debunking this, CAN simply amplified it,” he stated.
MURIC said it was disappointed by CAN’s response, noting that it expected the Christian body to act with more responsibility given its nationwide influence.
“We are nonplussed by the actions of these Christian leaders, especially CAN, which is expected to know better,” the group said.
Akintola argued that President Tinubu had shown significant goodwill toward Christians through major appointments and other gestures, adding that over 60 percent of federal positions reportedly went to Christians.
“CAN’s action is a stab in the back, considering President Tinubu’s preference for Christians in appointments, favours and privileges over and above his Muslim brethren,” MURIC stated. “The president himself confirmed that 62% of all appointments went to Christians. The First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, was even more generous to them than Father Christmas.”
The group described the alleged petitions to the US as “the mother of all betrayals,” accusing those responsible of disloyalty to both the President and the nation.
“President Tinubu does not deserve this,” MURIC said, adding that although the US might have its own political agenda, some Nigerians were responsible for feeding false narratives to American authorities.
