Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has responded to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that Christianity in Nigeria faces “an existential threat” and vowed to classify the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Trump had claimed on his Truth Social platform that “radical Islamists” were behind widespread killings of Christians, insisting that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
However, in a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Sowore said the problem in Nigeria goes beyond religion and should not be framed as a Christian-versus-Muslim crisis.
“Nigeria should have long been cited as a country of concern for its persistent failure to protect its citizens,” he wrote.
“Christians, Muslims and traditional believers alike have suffered because of corruption and illegitimate leadership.”
Sowore said that while Christian communities in states such as Benue, Plateau, Gombe and Kaduna continue to experience deadly attacks, Muslim populations in Katsina, Zamfara, Borno and Yobe are also victims of violence.
“I recognise the pain of Christian communities who have endured relentless attacks, just as Muslim communities in the North live under the same threats,” he said.
“Across the nation, people displaced by hunger, poverty and insecurity are crying out for dignity and protection.”
The activist argued that foreign pressure or international declarations will not solve Nigeria’s security challenges if the country’s leaders fail to address root causes such as corruption and weak governance.
“The real solution lies within honest, courageous leadership that values human life and justice,” Sowore added.
“No foreign power can fix what corrupt and careless leaders have broken from within.”
He called for visionary, accountable leadership that prioritizes unity and citizen safety.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking with CNN earlier in the week, also disputed claims that attacks in Nigeria specifically target Christians.
“These criminals do not just target one religion,” Idris said.
“They target Christians and Muslims alike, especially in the northern part of the country.”
