The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has stated that the recent pronouncement by the United States government designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), based on gross human rights violations and reports of Christian genocide, should not be misinterpreted as an invasion of a sovereign state. Instead, the CCN believes the anticipated intervention by the American government should be seen as an “answered prayer by every people of conscience” and a welcome development to assist Nigeria in addressing its intractable insecurity problem.
In a statement signed by the President, Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha, and the General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, the CCN urged Nigerian leaders to put aside political, ethnic, and religious considerations. The council asserted: “This is not the time for debate on whether there is Christian genocide in Nigeria or not. Rather, it is a time to set aside political considerations, ethnic affiliations, and religious inclinations, and join hands and purpose to address this challenge once and for all.”
The CCN called for clear-headed collaboration with the United States, stating: “Instead of reading undue meanings into Trump’s threat/challenge and spinning baseless conspiracy theories that only divert attention from the issue at stake, our leaders should be allowed to think straight on how to collaborate with the United States of America to take out these enemies of humankind, whether Nigerians or foreigners.”
The faith-based organisation viewed the apparent lack of political will to stop the slaughter of Nigerians as a grave reflection of the nation’s “deteriorating moral, security, and governance conditions.” While acknowledging that insecurity did not begin recently, the CCN affirmed that the sacred duty of any government is to protect life and property, rejecting violence, oppression, and hatred in any form.
The statement concluded with a call for prayer and a reaffirmation of the council’s commitment to collaborating with the government, civil society, and international partners for a “just, peaceful, and united Nigeria.” The CCN also noted that “History will be kind to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he seizes this opportunity to end the killings that have plagued this country for many years now,” and urged all Nigerians to pray for the President’s wisdom and courage to act.
