According to a report by Daily Post on Saturday, November 1, 2025, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayekooto Akindele, has alleged that the recent decision by former United States President, Donald Trump, to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) was influenced by the Nigerian government’s rejection of what he described as a “strange proposal” from the U.S.
Akindele made this claim while reacting to Trump’s announcement that placed Nigeria on a watch list over alleged persecution of Christians and rising insecurity across the country.
According to reports, Trump’s decision came after several U.S. lawmakers and religious freedom advocates claimed that dozens of Christians were being killed daily by extremist groups in Nigeria.
However, Nigerian authorities have consistently refuted such claims, insisting that the nation’s security challenges are not religiously motivated.
Government officials have maintained that the violence in parts of the country stems from terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, rather than religious persecution.
In his reaction, Ayekooto Akindele suggested that the U.S. decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” might have been politically motivated.
He alleged that the move was linked to Nigeria’s refusal to accept deported illegal immigrants from the United States.
He further claimed that Nigeria’s growing independence in pursuing its economic interests and global partnerships may have contributed to the strained relationship with Washington.
He said, “Donald Trump, Nigeria is not a country to mess with. We are multi-religious and multi-cultural. A country where the President is a Muslim and his wife is a Pastor should tell you more about our lives here. Do you want to rescue the First Lady from her Husband?.”
Akindele also emphasized that Nigeria’s diversity makes it unique among nations, describing it as a country where different religions coexist peacefully despite security challenges.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s leadership reflects its multi-religious and multicultural structure, pointing out that the current President is a Muslim while his wife is a Christian pastor.
He suggested that this dynamic demonstrates the level of religious tolerance in the country, contrary to the perception being pushed abroad.
The APC chieftain insisted that Nigeria should not be misrepresented as a country engaged in religious persecution.
He maintained that the federal government remains committed to tackling insecurity and protecting citizens regardless of faith or background.
Akindele urged the international community to rely on verified information and to understand the country’s complexity before making decisions that could affect its global reputation. View, More,
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