The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of “stabbing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the back” by endorsing claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, despite the president’s alleged generosity toward Christians in federal appointments.
In a statement, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, highlighted that President Tinubu had shown exceptional goodwill to Christians, noting that 62 percent of federal appointments have gone to Christians. He also praised the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, for her support of Christian communities, describing her as “more generous than Father Christmas.”
The remarks come in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s decision on Friday to place Nigeria back on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to alleged Christian persecution.
“CAN’s action is a stab in the back, considering President Tinubu’s preferential treatment of Christians in appointments and other privileges, even above his Muslim compatriots,” Akintola said.
MURIC criticized CAN for amplifying claims that Christians are the sole victims of terrorism in Nigeria instead of correcting the narrative.
“Despite the Nigerian government’s repeated denials of Christian genocide, the US administration has redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern. This decision is misplaced, distorted, and misrepresents the situation on the ground,” Akintola added.
Expressing disappointment with CAN, MURIC urged the association to act more responsibly. “Instead of challenging the redesignation, CAN has amplified misleading petitions sent to the US Congress, which claimed that Christians are the only victims of terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.
Akintola emphasized that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorism, noting that attackers frequently target crowded places, including both churches and mosques.
