CPC: Fani-Kayode urges visiting US lawmaker to adopt balanced view

File photo: Femi Fani-Kayode

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A former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged a visiting member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, to adopt a more balanced, and fact-based approach in assessing Nigeria’s security challenges.

PUNCH Online had reported that Moore, a vocal American lawmaker calling for an end to alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria, said on Sunday that he had concluded a “very productive” visit to the country.

Sharing the update in a post on his X account, he wrote, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people.

“Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”

In a post on his X handle, Fani-Kayode welcomed the US lawmaker and his delegation to Nigeria but hoped their visit would offer an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the complexity of Nigeria’s insecurity.

“Whilst you are here, I hope you will learn a thing or two about being factual and objective in your analysis of what is going on in our beautiful country,” he wrote.

Fani-Kayode cautioned against framing Nigeria’s security crisis solely as a campaign against Christians, stressing that Muslims have also been victims of deadly attacks.

“When you consider and acknowledge the fact that the genocide and mass murder that is going on here is not limited to Christians alone but also affects Muslims, I will view you with less suspicion and treat you with more respect,” he said.

He referenced a recent attack in Sokoto, where terrorists reportedly invaded a mosque during early morning prayers, killing the Imam and one other worshipper and abducting several others.

“If you doubt the veracity of my assertion that Muslims are also being killed, kindly consider the following. Just yesterday (Saturday), terrorists in Sokoto attacked a mosque during the early morning prayer.

“The Imam leading the prayer and one other person were killed, while several other worshippers were abducted.

“This is the sort of tragedy that both Christians and Muslims live with in our country, but thankfully, our security agencies and military have risen to the occasion and done far more good work over the last few weeks by killing many more of the terrorists and rescuing many abductees.”

However, the Chairman of the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where the purported Sokoto mosque attack occurred, Ayuba Hashimu, and a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing the area, Aminu Boza, have denied the attack.

Fani-Kayode, who was recently nominated as ambassador by President Bola Tinubu pending Senate confirmation, urged the US to offer “support, understanding, good faith and assistance” in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism rather than “insults and threats.”

He warned that mischaracterising the situation as “Christian genocide” deepens division.

“Whilst here, despite your mischaracterisation of our complex situation, I wish you the very best and urge you to kindly let your President @DonaldTrump know that our nation is not a ‘disgrace’ or a ‘shithole’ but rather one of the greatest nations on earth and a source of strength, pride, courage and inspiration to over 240 million Nigerians that live here.

“May the Lord guide you in all your endeavours and may your great nation, America, be a source of peace, love and harmony to the world and not one that brings nothing but chaos, division and sorrow,” he added.

Moore did not provide details about the purpose of his visit or the Nigerian officials he met during the trip.

However, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier announced that he hosted a US Congressional delegation as part of ongoing security consultations between both countries.

Ribadu, in a post on his X handle, said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, centred on mutual security interests.

“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he said.

According to Ribadu, discussions during the meeting focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability”, and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”

“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, a move accompanied by threats of possible US military intervention.

The Federal Government has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic Christian persecution, insisting that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.

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