The Federal Government has strongly rejected allegations of religious persecution and genocide against Christians in Nigeria, insisting that such claims are false, misleading, and harmful to the country’s global image.

The rebuttal follows comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently accused the Nigerian government of presiding over Christian genocide and threatened possible military intervention if it failed to eliminate terrorists and bandits.

Tuggar Demands Full, Unedited Release of Piers Morgan Interview

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the claims of genocide were unfounded and accused foreign media of amplifying distorted narratives. Tuggar, who appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, insisted that the entire interview be broadcast without edits to avoid misrepresentation of his statements on Nigeria’s religious freedoms.

According to him, his responses on the program were grounded in verifiable data but may have conflicted with preconceived notions held by some foreign observers.

“For the sake of integrity and transparency, the full interview must be aired exactly as recorded,” Tuggar wrote on X. He stressed that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, making any state-backed discrimination “unthinkable.”

Idris: Nigeria Is Not a Violator of Religious Freedom

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, echoed Tuggar’s concerns. Speaking at the 5th National Advertising Conference in Abuja, Idris described claims of Christian genocide as “false, damaging, and a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s reality.”

He argued that Nigeria’s security challenges are not religiously motivated, noting that victims of terrorism include Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other faiths.

“All Nigerians have suffered from the menace of terrorism and banditry,” he said, adding that the government is strengthening security architecture and reworking command structures to confront insurgency more effectively.

Idris urged communication professionals to help counter false global narratives about Nigeria by promoting accurate, fact-based storytelling.

African Union: No Genocide in Northern Nigeria

The African Union (AU) also dismissed the genocide claims. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the AU Commission, speaking in New York, urged caution, noting that the situation in northern Nigeria is complex.

“There is no genocide in Nigeria,” he stated. “The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians.”

Boko Haram’s insurgency, active since 2009, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million, according to United Nations figures.

PFN to Trump: Support Tinubu, Don’t Threaten Nigeria

Reacting to Trump’s comments, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) called on the U.S. to support President Bola Tinubu’s counter-terrorism efforts rather than contemplate military action.

PFN President Wale Oke told Channels Television that although attacks on churches must stop, an American invasion is not the solution.

“We want Donald Trump to work with our President and hold him accountable to stop the targeted killing and kidnapping of our members, not to threaten military intervention,” he said.

He emphasized the need for all Nigerians—regardless of faith—to live, work, and worship freely.

Peter Obi: Trump Only Echoed What Nigerians Have Been Saying

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also weighed in, saying the outrage over Trump’s remarks was misplaced.

Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja, Obi argued that Trump’s comments simply reflected the painful realities Nigerians have long been highlighting.

“The debate shouldn’t be whether genocide exists or not,” he said. “People are being killed. The real issues are impunity, insecurity, and leadership failure.”

Obi described Nigeria as a “disgraced nation,” pointing to widespread poverty, insecurity, corruption, high infant mortality, and millions of out-of-school children. Despite the grim statistics, he urged Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting the country remains recoverable with honest leadership and national commitment.