“Insecurity in Nigeria has no religious undertone.”
Ex-militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro, has faulted the United States’ decision under former President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement issued in Abuja, Akpodoro described the action as “hasty and without due diligence,” insisting that insecurity in Nigeria has no religious undertone. “Nigeria is a religiously plural society where faith diversity remains a pillar of unity,” he said.
He alleged that the Trump administration acted on misinformation “sponsored by opposition politicians,” adding that conflicts across regions affect both Christians and Muslims. Akpodoro maintained that President Bola Tinubu engages all religious leaders equally while tackling insecurity nationwide.
The Mayor urged Washington to review the decision and avoid “politically motivated” classifications. He also commended the Tinubu administration’s efforts to reduce extremism and called for international support instead of “lopsided proclamations” that misrepresent Nigeria’s religious harmony.