Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has refuted recent allegations by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Christians are being subjected to genocide in Nigeria, describing the claim as “a product of misinformation.”
Speaking as a guest on Arise Television on Monday, monitored in Lafia, Governor Sule said there is no religious genocide anywhere in Nigeria, stressing that such narratives often stem from distorted reports or political propaganda.
“Do we have a religious genocide in Nigeria? Definitely not. There is nothing like a religious genocide in Nigeria—or anywhere for that matter,” the governor stated firmly.
Governor Sule, who lived in Houston, Texas, for several years, explained that he understands how the American political system operates and how misinformation can influence perceptions.
“It’s just unfortunate. Having lived in the United States, I know how their system works. Sometimes, congressmen and women rely on reports from citizens or lobbyists. I remember when we sponsored Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; they would ask what issues affect our country and how they could help. Most likely, Trump received wrong information from a congressman or individuals who do not understand the full picture,” Sule explained.
The governor emphasized that while Nigeria has experienced isolated cases of communal conflict, such incidents should not be mistaken for religious genocide.
“Sometimes, politicians or frustrated citizens make statements that exaggerate situations without realizing the consequences. In Nasarawa, for instance, there have been times when people claim a particular ethnic or religious group is being wiped out—but when you examine the facts, it turns out not to be the case,” he added.
Governor Sule also expressed optimism over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to meet with Donald Trump, describing the move as a welcome diplomatic step.
“I am happy that President Tinubu has committed to meeting with President Trump. I’m sure such diplomatic engagement will help clarify the situation. These misunderstandings happen between countries—it’s not new,” he said.
Recall that over the weekend, former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, alleged that Christians were being killed in “record numbers” in Nigeria and threatened to send U.S. military forces if the Nigerian government failed to act.
“They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria. We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Trump wrote, hinting at a possible withdrawal of U.S. aid to Nigeria.
Governor Sule’s clarification comes amid growing public debate over Trump’s remarks, which have drawn mixed reactions from Nigerian and international observers.
