Video: Sowore denounces genocide narratives in Nigeria, points to leadership failure, international hypocrisy
Omoyele Sowore
Video: Sowore denounces genocide narratives in Nigeria, points to leadership failure, international hypocrisy
Abdullateef Fowewe
Activist Omoyele Sowore has sharply rebuked the framing of violence in Nigeria as religious genocide, arguing instead that the crisis stems from irresponsible leadership and widespread insecurity affecting all citizens regardless of faith.
“There’s genocide against the poor in this country, there’s genocide against Muslims in this country, there’s genocide against Christians in this country, there’s genocide against children in this country,” Sowore stated.
He challenged the notion of segregating victims by religion, saying Nigeria does not even verify the religious identity of those killed.
“To now separate it and say maybe it’s one religion or the other, did anybody find out whether they are Christians or Muslims?” he queried.
Sowore also pointed to what he described as international double standards, highlighting the United States’ position on religious persecution.
“Why is the US not taking the same position in Gaza that there’s genocide against Muslims by Israel? So there’s international hypocrisy about that,” he added.
The activist emphasised that the ongoing violence, including attacks on mosques mainly in northern Nigeria, cannot be pinned solely on religious groups.
“When the terrorists go and kill people in the mosque—they are probably people who identify as Muslims,” he noted, adding, “The problem with Nigeria has nothing to do with religion, is complete, irresponsible leadership and insecurity that kills everybody.”
Sowore warned against using religion as an alibi for poor governance and urged realistic approaches to tackle the violence.
“The US will come with the policy to say we want to protect Christians. It’s okay. Let’s bring a big boat and take all the Christians out and see if nobody will get killed,” he said.
