The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, has condemned recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, accusing Nigeria of committing “genocide against Christians.”
Gatekeepers News reports that Gabam described Trump’s statement as “dangerous, misleading, and an assault on Nigeria’s sovereignty,” warning that such rhetoric risks deepening divisions in a country already grappling with complex security challenges.
“There is no religious genocide in Nigeria. Nigerians are being killed from both faiths. The tragedy is universal, not sectional,” Gabam said.
He argued that insecurity in Nigeria is driven by governance and socioeconomic failures — not religious persecution — and cautioned foreign leaders against framing the country’s crisis through biased or simplistic lenses.
The SDP chairman noted that the worst-hit regions, particularly the North-East and North-West, have recorded thousands of Muslim victims, which, he said, contradicts Trump’s insinuations and exposes the narrative as false.
Gabam urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a strategic, fact-based diplomatic response and appoint ambassadors capable of defending Nigeria’s image in international forums.
He recalled Trump’s previous antagonistic posture toward Nigeria, including derogatory comments and visa restrictions during his presidency, describing the latest remarks as a continuation of that trend.
“Such provocations should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen institutions and rebuild public trust,” Gabam added.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s real security problems, he warned that external intimidation or military pressure from foreign powers could worsen instability rather than resolve it.
Gabam stressed that the country’s path to peace depends on professionalism, transparency, and respect for human rights within its security agencies.
“International perception matters, but Nigeria must not manage optics at the expense of human lives and practical governance,” he said.
“Ultimately, Nigeria must fix Nigeria.”
