The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed allegations of an ongoing genocide against Christians in Northern Nigeria. The monarch described the claims as baseless and intended to create division within the country.
Reports of an alleged “Christian genocide” resurfaced last month after US Senator Ted Cruz, during a podcast with television host Bill Maher, claimed that Christians were being systematically targeted and killed in Nigeria. Maher and political commentator Van Jones supported the assertion, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity.
However, the Federal Government has strongly denied the claims, calling them false and malicious propaganda aimed at damaging Nigeria’s international reputation. Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, speaking on Monday in Abuja at the National Unveiling of the World Public Relations Forum, said the allegations were part of a foreign-sponsored effort to destabilise the country and undermine its unity.
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Sultan said Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully in Northern Nigeria for generations, and that any narrative suggesting otherwise was meant to spread distrust and division. He stressed that the North remains a shared home for both faiths.
The Sultan commended the Nigerian military for its role in combating insurgency and banditry in the region, noting that their sacrifices have made it possible for communities to function and gatherings like the council meeting to hold. He reaffirmed the support of traditional rulers for the Armed Forces and the Federal Government in their efforts to restore peace and stability.
He also raised concerns about the impact of social media, saying that misinformation and inflammatory content continue to fuel tensions. The monarch urged the Federal Government to adopt measures to curb the spread of false information, adding that he had personally been a victim of fake news. In his keynote address, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, praised traditional institutions for their cooperation in the fight against insecurity. He called for even stronger community involvement to support ongoing military operations.
Source: https://punchng.com/
