Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said the killings across Nigeria have nothing to do with religion.
While delivering a lecture as Guest Speaker at the 2025 Synod and 35th Anniversary of the Anglican Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State at the weekend, he described the killings as acts of inhumanity by criminals who target both Muslims and Christians.
He asked Nigerians to resist being divided along religious lines, calling on followers of both faiths to embrace one another and not allow “bad leaders” to use religion as a tool of division.
In a publication titled ‘Christian Genocide And The Dangers Of Mischaracterisation’, the former Minister of Aviation stated that both Christians and Muslims are being “targeted and slaughtered.”
He did not deny the fact that Christians are being killed but rather dismissed the term “Christian Genocide”.
“There is no doubt that Christians are being targeted and slaughtered in massive numbers in Nigeria,” he said via X.
“No-one can deny that. It is a reality that we as Christians have lived with for many years.
“What needs to be understood however is that in the last 15 years as many Muslims have been targeted and slaughtered by the same group of heartless terrorists as well.
“To mischaracterize what is going on in our nation as “Christian genocide” is a knee jerk and emotional reaction to a very complex and profound problem.
“It is an eloquent testimony to the sordid and divisive disinformation, misinformation and falsehood that those that insist on describing it in such terms have resorted to.”
He also said that the misinformation will further drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
“Outside of this the mischaracterization of our situation has an additional three obvious & immediate consequences,” he further explained
“Firstly, it negates the idea that Muslims are being targeted by the same terrorists that are killing Christians.
“Secondly it belittles & underplays the massive loss of Muslims lives & suggests that those lives count for nothing.
“Finally, it runs the risk of further dividing our people on religious lines by casting all Muslims as the perpetrators & only Christians as the victims.
“This cannot augur well for the unity of our country & for our collective fight against terror.”
Kayode also discouraged President Trump from following up on the proposed plan to “arm Christians in Nigeria with American weapons”. He said that doing this will encourage more conflict.
“Again, the call by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith to Trump to “arm Christians in Nigeria with American weapons” & to use the American Airforce to “bomb Muslim communities in our country” will lead to a further escalation of violence & open armed conflict between hitherto law- abiding Christians & Muslims who are not only fully integrated but who have also lived peacefully together in harmony over the years.
“Sending arms to aide one community & U.S. war planes to bomb the other cannot possibly augur well for us.”
Speaking on behalf of Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Chief Judge and Attorney-General, Barrister James Kanyip, said the state government remained committed to protecting religious freedom and working with faith leaders who promote peace.
He urged clerics to continue preaching peace and forgiveness, noting that the state was determined to build a united and tolerant society.
Read the full publication below:
