A constitutional lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, has faulted United States President Donald Trump and some American officials over allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing such claims as misleading and hypocritical.
Speaking in Calabar on Sunday, Obono-Obla argued that the United States should focus on addressing its own domestic gun violence, including attacks in churches, before criticizing Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
He described Washington’s posture as “a form of dubious diplomacy laced with arrogance and disguised militarism,” accusing the US of exploiting religious issues to influence and destabilize other nations.
“The narrative of a so-called Christian genocide in Nigeria is illogical and devoid of context. If the US, which witnesses frequent gun violence in its own places of worship, has not invited foreign intervention, it should allow Nigeria to handle its own affairs,” he said.
The former presidential aide warned that any attempt by Washington to act outside diplomatic norms under the guise of religious protection would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.
He further accused the US of a pattern of undermining nations through misinformation and proxy conflicts, citing Iraq, Libya, and Ukraine as examples of countries destabilized by foreign intervention.
In a separate reaction, Barrister Leonard Anyogo, Chairman of Good Governance Advocacy International, advised the Nigerian government to respond to such statements through diplomacy rather than confrontation.
“Engagement, not hostility, should define Nigeria’s response. We should pursue constructive dialogue and explore areas of genuine security cooperation with the United States instead of escalating tensions,” Anyogo said.
Both lawyers urged the Federal government to strengthen internal governance, promote equity, and consolidate national unity, noting that Nigeria’s strongest defence against external pressure lies in credibility, stability, and principled diplomacy.
