Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has warned that the growing Western narrative accusing Nigeria of “Christian genocide” is a dangerous plot designed to divide the country and spark religious conflict.
In a strongly worded statement, Fani-Kayode said he was alarmed by recent comments from American media figures Bill Maher and CNN’s Van Jones, as well as US Senator Ted Cruz, who claimed Christians in Nigeria were being systematically killed. He also noted that Canada’s Parliament had passed a resolution branding Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries for Christians.
The former minister questioned the sudden Western interest in Nigerian Christians, describing it as “fake sympathy” and a “strategic distraction” from the ongoing war in Gaza.
“Since when have the Americans or the West cared about anyone but themselves?” he asked. “Their goal is to shift global attention away from Gaza and punish Nigeria for standing against the genocide there.”
Fani-Kayode praised Nigeria’s stand at the United Nations, where the country’s Vice President condemned the violence in Gaza and called for a two-state solution. He said Western outrage over alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria was retaliation for that stance.
While acknowledging that Christians have suffered horrific attacks from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other terrorist groups, Fani-Kayode insisted that Muslims have also been victims of the same violence. He accused Western powers of hypocrisy, noting that they “funded, armed, and protected” some of the very extremists now ravaging Nigeria.
“This is not a Christian genocide,” he said. “It is a genocide against all Nigerians Christians and Muslims alike by evil terrorists who represent only Satan.”
Fani-Kayode warned that the Western-backed narrative could inflame tensions, alienate Muslims, and push Nigeria towards a catastrophic religious war.
“If we fall for this propaganda, brother will turn on brother, and the country will descend into chaos,” he cautioned. “We must resist this falsehood and reaffirm our unity.”
Recalling his visit to the North-East and North-West in 2020, Fani-Kayode said he witnessed firsthand the devastation in both Muslim-majority and Christian-majority communities, from Zamfara to Benue.
He said his experience convinced him that terrorism in Nigeria is an attack on humanity itself, not on any single faith.
“When terrorists strike, they don’t ask for your religion,” he wrote. “They only care about spilling blood.”
Fani-Kayode called on Nigerians to reject foreign manipulation, unite across religious lines, and confront terrorism as one people.
“We welcome concern but reject lies,” he said. “We must never let outsiders define our story or destroy our peace.”
He ended with a prayer for peace and divine protection for Nigeria.
“May God bless, defend, and protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
