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By Myke Agunwa
Senior Pastor of the Guiding Light Assembly, Wale Adefarasin, has dismissed recent claims by the United States alleging a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria, describing such assertions as exaggerated and politically motivated.
The United States government recently cited “widespread attacks on Christians and other minorities” in its decision to place Nigeria back on its list of countries of particular concern (CPC).
Following the designation, Trump claimed that “Islamic terrorists are committing genocide against Christians” and warned that the U.S. “may very well go into that now disgraced country guns-blazing” if the killings continue.
His comments were supported by a handful of right-wing U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, who introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 a bill seeking sanctions against Nigerian officials accused of “enforcing Sharia or blasphemy laws.”
In a viral video released on Monday, Pastor Adefarasin cautioned against what he termed the “Western exaggeration” of Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the portrayal of Christians as victims of systematic extermination.
“For 40 years that I’ve been a Christian, there have been killings in Southern Kaduna, killings on the Plateau, and riots,” he said.
“This isn’t new. It’s wrong, yes—but it’s not genocide. The way the West talks about it, you’d think a Christian can’t step outside without being killed.”
The cleric, who acknowledged that violent attacks in parts of the country are real and condemnable, argued that the situation has been misrepresented as a religious war, when in fact, many of the conflicts have political, ethnic, and economic roots.
“There have always been clashes, and we must condemn them, but this idea of a new coordinated campaign to exterminate Christians is not accurate,” he stressed.
Pastor Adefarasin also questioned America’s “sudden affection” for Nigerian Christians, suggesting that the renewed attention might be tied to Nigeria’s growing economic and strategic importance rather than purely humanitarian concern.
“I’m trying to understand this sudden affection for Christians
“Is it because Nigeria now has one of the largest refineries in the world and no longer needs to export crude? Or is it about the new minerals in our soil that are vital for nuclear energy and electric vehicles?” he questioned.
The respected Pentecostal leader and social commentator, urged both foreign governments and local leaders to adopt a measured and fact-based approach to Nigeria’s internal challenges.
“Let’s be honest about what’s happening, but let’s also reject exaggerated narratives that could divide us further,” he said.
“The West should help Nigeria strengthen its institutions, not fuel alarm or seek military confrontation.”
His remarks come amid rising diplomatic tension following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to intervene militarily in Nigeria to “protect Christians” after the U.S. redesignated the country as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.