Fatimah Otunsanya
President Bola Tinubu has insisted that there is neither Christian genocide nor Muslim genocide in Nigeria.
Tinubu said this while declaring open the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society’s 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja on Friday.
The theme of the conference was “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community”.
Represented by Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the President said that what the country had was terrorism, driven by criminality and extremism.
He said that the Federal Government was working tirelessly to overcome the security challenges.
President of the United States, Donald Trump, had declared Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide.
Tinubu said, “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations.
The allegations are not only false, but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the sustenance of the peaceful coexistence which we continue to build as a nation.
“Nigeria’s response was clear, firm, and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group,” he said.
According to him, security challenges are rooted in historical, economic and criminal issues, not religious issues.
“Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter.
“As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria.
“What we have is terrorism driven by criminality, extremism, challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome,” he said.
Tinubu said the Nigerian government would continue to promote firm national unity, religious freedom, and the security of every human life.
We must, therefore, reject narratives that seek to divide us, whether they come from within or outside our borders.
“We must neither allow internal nor external forces to sow discord or feed dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation,” he said.
According to the President, Nigeria’s strength has always been in its diversity, our ability to live together, worship differently, and still see one another as brothers, sisters, and compatriots.
He said that it was comforting to note that faith-based organisations such as NASFAT play an invaluable role in this regard.
“Your teaching on moderation, tolerance, and service to humanity provides pathways for resolving conflicts and deepening national unity.
“Let us continue to promote moderation, peaceful coexistence, and respect for our diversity.