Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has condemned the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution.

In a post shared on X on Saturday, Sani described the move as “baseless and founded on misinformation,” insisting that acts of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria target citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.

According to him, Nigeria’s religious demographics make it “technically impossible” for one faith to dominate or persecute another, likening the country’s situation to “a Lion and Tiger” rather than “a Lion and Zebra” scenario.

“I understand that Nigeria is among the 12 countries designated as one of particular concern. The designation of Nigeria is founded on outright falsehoods and wholesale misinformation,” he wrote.

“Terrorists and bandits in Nigeria kill and kidnap their victims irrespective of their religious beliefs. The records are self-evident in the last 15 years. Looking at the Muslim-Christian ratio in Nigeria, it’s technically impossible for one faith to persecute another. Nigeria is a Lion and Tiger situation, not a Lion and Zebra configuration.”

Sani further accused those who influenced the U.S. president’s decision of attempting to “sow division and discord for selfish political gain,” adding that the nation, like other countries facing terrorism, deserves international assistance rather than condemnation.

“Trump was misinformed by anarchists and lackeys of neocolonialism who seek to profit from seeds of division. This particular weapon raised against our country shall not prosper,” he said.

“Nigeria, like all nations battling terrorism, needs global support and cooperation to overcome its security challenges.”