NIREC Member Sanni Faults Council’s Silence on U.S. ‘Christian Genocide’ Claim

A member of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Ishaq Kunle Sanni, has criticised the organisation for what he described as its failure to counter the claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump alleging “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

In an open letter addressed to fellow NIREC members, Sanni said he was unable to attend the council’s meeting but felt compelled to communicate his concerns. He noted that since the formation of NIREC in 1999—made up of equal representatives of Muslims and Christians to promote religious harmony—he had remained a committed member.

Sanni stated that while NIREC had recorded achievements over the years, its handling of recent international narratives about religious persecution in Nigeria marked “a defining moment.” He expressed disappointment that the council did not issue a rebuttal to the claim attributed to the Trump administration, which he described as “false” and capable of heightening religious tensions.

He further faulted the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for what he called its “initial silence” and later support of the narrative, alleging that such positions could be misinterpreted globally. Sanni said he attempted to contact CAN President Bishop Daniel Okoh over the matter but was unsuccessful.

In his letter, Sanni also referenced several incidents of insecurity involving both Muslims and Christians, insisting that attributing violence solely to one religious group was misleading. He argued that extremism exists across different segments of society and called for a more honest, balanced approach within NIREC.

Sanni warned that if members of the council were unwilling to “speak the truth,” the organisation risked losing its relevance.