Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has reacted sharply to President Donald Trump’s recent statement claiming that Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat.” Trump had also announced the inclusion of Nigeria on the U.S. “Countries of Particular Concern” list, citing alleged mass killings of Christians by radical Islamist groups.
Sani described Trump’s position as misleading and divisive, arguing that it misrepresents Nigeria’s security situation. He emphasized that over the past fifteen years, terrorist and bandit attacks have targeted both Muslims and Christians, noting that religion has never been the defining factor in the violence. In his words, “Muslims have actually suffered more and recorded more casualties because of the areas those evil terrorists operate.”
The senator criticized the U.S. for relying on incomplete or politically motivated narratives and urged that international attention should focus on Nigeria’s real security challenges rather than stoking religious tensions.
Shehu Sani also condemned a U.S. legislative measure led by Senator Ted Cruz that seeks to impose sanctions on individuals enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria. He described the bill as a direct and unjust attack on the legal framework, cultural values, and religious sensitivities of Nigerian Muslims.
On this matter, Sani said:
“If the Muslims in Nigeria decided to run their lives with Sharia and blasphemy laws, it’s none of the business of the US. If they can’t sanction individuals who implement Sharia and blasphemy laws in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi, why should it be differently applied here?”
Through these remarks, Sani highlighted what he sees as a double standard in U.S. policy and stressed that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, has the right to determine its own legal and religious systems. He urged the United States to support Nigeria constructively in tackling terrorism and insecurity, which affect all citizens regardless of faith, rather than issuing threats or punitive measures.
Sani concluded by reaffirming confidence in Nigeria’s ability to overcome its challenges and called on Nigerians and international partners to work together in ways that respect the country’s sovereignty and the rights of all its citizens. View, More,
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