Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has dismissed claims of a religious war in Nigeria’s South East, insisting that the ongoing violence in the region has nothing to do with religion.
Soludo was reacting to US President Donald Trump’s threat to launch attacks on Nigeria under the pretext of “protecting Christians” from alleged genocide. Trump’s comments followed widespread claims by U.S. lawmakers, international media, and secessionist groups that Christians were being targeted in the country.
Speaking during a media chat, Soludo acknowledged America’s right to express its opinions but urged respect for international law in its actions.
“There is a deeper conversation—our own introspection about what goes on in the country,” the governor said. “In this part of the world, eastern Nigeria, it is not religious. People are killing themselves—Christians killing Christians.”
He noted that most of those involved in the killings bear Christian names. “The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter, and John, all Christian names. They have maimed and killed thousands of our youths. It has nothing to do with religion.”
Soludo added that with the region being “95 percent Christian,” the violence could not be attributed to religious differences, urging for dialogue and reflection to resolve the crisis.
“Nigeria will overcome,” he said. “It will end in conversation.”
