MURIC Alleges CAN ‘Betrayal’ Over US Christian Genocide Allegation

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of betrayal following the reported decision by President Donald Trump to place Nigeria back on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) for alleged religious persecution against Christians.

In a statement released by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC criticized CAN and other Christian leaders for allegedly petitioning the US government with claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

Professor Akintola directly addressed the US decision, which came despite the Nigerian government’s “vehement denial of Christian genocide.”

MURIC vehemently dismissed the CPC redesignation as “blurred, misplaced and distorted,” arguing it is a “complete misrepresentation of the true picture on the ground in Nigeria.”

The Muslim group insisted that certain Christian leaders were responsible for propagating a negative and false image of the country abroad.

Akintola specifically accused CAN of amplifying claims that Christians were the sole targets of terrorists, rather than working to correct what MURIC views as a “false and misleading narrative.”

MURIC expressed its disappointment, stating it expected CAN to demonstrate greater responsibility given its significant national influence.

Central to MURIC’s outrage is the claim that CAN’s actions are a betrayal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group argued that the President has shown significant “generous consideration” for Christians in federal appointments, favors, and privileges.

“CAN’s action is a stab in the back,” MURIC stated, arguing that the alleged petitions disregarded Tinubu’s preference for Christians in appointments a preference the President himself reportedly confirmed resulted in 62% of appointments going to Christians. Comparing the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, to “Father Christmas” for her generosity toward Christians, MURIC labeled the alleged petitions to the US as “the mother of all betrayals.”

The organization concluded by asserting that President Tinubu “does not deserve this” disloyalty, acknowledging that while the US may have its own political motives, misleading information supplied by Nigerians contributed to the American authorities’ decision.