The National Patriotic Elders for Peace and Harmony of Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prosecute Nigerians who, according to them, misinformed former U.S. President Donald Trump about alleged genocide against Christians in the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the President of the group, Dr. Bature AbdulAziz, described the action of those individuals as a “treasonable offence” that undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and global image.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with adequate legal structures to address the concerns of its citizens. Reporting to foreign countries on unverified claims of genocide is an act of betrayal and should not go unpunished,”
AbdulAziz declared.

He urged Northern Governors to convene an emergency regional meeting involving religious and ethnic leaders to review the security situation and develop a unified response to ongoing violence in parts of the North.

According to him, the governors must also compile verified data on killings and insurgent attacks to counter exaggerated figures being circulated internationally.

“The claim that over 500,000 Christians have been killed must be supported by facts and verifiable records. It is the responsibility of the governors to present an accurate picture to Nigerians and the world,”
he said.

Dr. AbdulAziz maintained that available evidence indicates that Muslims have borne the greater share of casualties in the country’s prolonged security crises.

“From 1999 to date, over 75 percent of those killed in violent conflicts are Muslims, especially in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, and Jigawa — all predominantly Muslim areas,”
he added.

He noted that the North-East, comprising Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states, has equally suffered devastating losses, with many Muslim communities ravaged by insurgent attacks and mass displacements.

While acknowledging that North-Central states such as Plateau, Benue, and Taraba have significant Christian populations, AbdulAziz attributed most of the conflicts there to farmer-herder disputes rather than religious persecution.

The elders’ leader further dismissed claims of systematic anti-Christian violence as “false narratives” being promoted for political motives.

He alleged that America’s recent posture may be linked to Nigeria’s foreign policy stance at the United Nations, particularly its support for the two-state solution on the Palestine-Israel conflict and President Tinubu’s growing diplomatic ties with France.

“We believe there are political undertones in America’s sudden concern. Nigeria has always been a stabilising force in Africa, promoting peace and democracy across the continent. Any aggression against Nigeria would destabilise the region,”
AbdulAziz warned.

He appealed to former U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his stance and avoid actions that could threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty or peace.

“An attack on Nigeria will not only harm our nation but could trigger wider instability across Africa,”
he cautioned.

The elders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting unity, peace, and mutual understanding among Nigeria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups.