Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bolaji Akinyemi has cautioned that allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria could have severe diplomatic consequences, including travel bans and visa restrictions on Nigerians.
Gatekeepers News reports that Akinyemi’s warning comes amid growing claims from several American figures accusing the Nigerian government of persecuting Christians.
Recently, Ted Cruz, a U.S. senator, introduced a bill to protect Christians allegedly facing persecution in Nigeria. Similarly, Riley Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, urged Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, to take immediate diplomatic action over alleged systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians.” U.S. talk show host Bill Maher also alleged that Christians were being exterminated by terror groups in Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Akinyemi expressed dismay that Nigeria was being likened to Israel in discussions about genocide.
He said, “As a Nigerian, I am depressed and upset that the charge of genocide will be levelled at my country. To compare Nigeria with Israel and accuse us of genocide is unjustified.”
The former minister admitted that violent clashes had occurred in parts of the Middle Belt but maintained that these incidents did not amount to genocide.
Akinyemi said, “It is true that there are disturbing developments in this country, especially in the Middle Belt, but they do not qualify as genocide.”
“We must understand that negative narratives about Nigeria have consequences. When we unjustifiably damage our nation’s image abroad, every Nigerian suffers for it.”
The former minister faulted the federal government for failing to respond swiftly to the genocide allegations before they gained traction in the U.S. Congress.
He said, “I don’t know why we waited for the matter to get this far before it became an issue of concern.”
“If this continues, countries may begin to cancel passports and visas, and when Nigeria seeks international positions, the genocide tag could haunt us.”
Akinyemi urged the federal government to handle the matter as a national priority rather than a partisan issue.
He said, “The government must take this seriously. It is not a matter for political rivalry between the Senate and the executive.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser should take up the issue directly with the United States.”
The former minister further advised the National Security Adviser (NSA) to liaise with his counterpart in Washington to clarify Nigeria’s stance.
He said, “Now that the NSA oversees internal and domestic security, he should address the matter with his U.S. counterpart and set the record straight.”
