Soludo To Trump: Christians Behind Killings in South-East Are Fellow Christians

Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed claims of a religious genocide against Christians in Nigeria’s South-East, calling such allegations inaccurate and misleading.

Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television, Soludo clarified that the region’s unrest stems from social, political, and economic factors rather than religious persecution. His remarks followed recent accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being targeted and threatened possible military intervention.

“There is a deeper issue behind what is happening,” Soludo explained. “In the South-East, this is not about religion. Christians are killing fellow Christians. The people hiding in the bushes — Emmanuel, Peter, John — all have Christian names. They have destroyed lives and communities, but it’s not a religious conflict.”

The former Central Bank governor stressed that the South-East is predominantly Christian, with both perpetrators and victims sharing the same faith.

“In this region, about 95 percent of the population are Christians,” he said. “The people behind the killings bear Christian names. It’s beyond a Christian-versus-Muslim narrative. Nigeria will heal, and dialogue will prevail.”

He added that while the United States has the right to express its views, any action it takes must respect international law.