The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of betraying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite what it described as his “generous consideration” for Christians in federal appointments.
This comes after reports that former United States President Donald Trump has placed Nigeria back on the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) a designation for nations allegedly involved in severe violations of religious freedom — citing alleged genocide against Christians.
In a statement released by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed outrage over what it called “a betrayal of national interest” by some Christian leaders who allegedly petitioned the U.S. government on religious killings in Nigeria.
“Despite the vehement denial of Christian genocide by the Nigerian government, U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern,” Akintola said.
The group dismissed the U.S. decision as “misplaced and distorted,” insisting that the situation in Nigeria had been grossly misrepresented.
“This redesignation is blurred, misplaced, and distorted. It is a complete misrepresentation of the true picture on the ground in Nigeria,” the statement read.
MURIC accused some Christian leaders of being behind the country’s “negative image” abroad, claiming they were the ones amplifying false narratives about targeted attacks on Christians.
“It will be recalled that some Christian leaders had written frivolous petitions to the U.S. Congress, claiming that Christians were the only ones being killed by terrorists in Nigeria. Instead of debunking this, CAN simply amplified it,” Akintola added.
According to the Islamic rights group, the Christian body’s failure to counter these claims showed a lack of national responsibility and fairness.
“We are nonplussed by the actions of these Christian leaders, especially CAN, which is expected to know better,” MURIC lamented.
Akintola further argued that President Tinubu had shown unprecedented goodwill to Christians since assuming office through several key appointments and privileges, noting that more than 60 percent of federal appointees under his administration were 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,” he stated.
“The President himself confirmed that 62 percent of all appointments went to Christians. The First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has even been more generous to them than Father Christmas.”
MURIC described the alleged petitions to the U.S. as “the mother of all betrayals,” accusing those behind them of disloyalty to both the President and the nation.
“President Tinubu does not deserve this,” the group said. “While the U.S. may have its own political motives, it is unfortunate that some Nigerians are feeding misleading information to foreign powers against their own country.”
The group urged religious bodies to avoid actions capable of inflaming tension or damaging Nigeria’s international reputation, calling for unity and responsible engagement on issues of faith and governance.
