Maureen Okpe
The Chairperson of the PAVE Network Steering Committee, Jaye Gaskia, has issued a strongly worded statement refuting recent allegations by elements within the United States government and affiliated groups accusing Nigeria of committing genocide against Christians.
In the statement on Monday titled “The Genocide Disinformation: A Rebuttal to the US, and a Wake-Up Call to Nigeria,” Gaskia described the claims as “malicious,” “injurious,” and part of a “coordinated campaign of disinformation” aimed at destabilising Nigeria and undermining Africa’s progress.
According to the statement, certain political and advocacy circles in the US have intensified efforts to label Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on the grounds of alleged religious persecution.
Gaskia warned that such narratives, if left unchecked, could justify dangerous foreign interference and even military threats against the country.
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He accused those behind the campaign of “mobilising hate against Nigeria” under the guise of defending religious freedom.
“Is insecurity in Nigeria dire? Yes, it is,” Gaskia admitted. “Are there mass atrocities? Yes, there have been. But is there a genocide of Christians or Muslims taking place? Absolutely not.
“Nigeria is not a country divided into mutually antagonistic camps of faith deliberately targeting each other.”
He argued that Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges are rooted in governance failures, inequality, and developmental issues rather than religious persecution.
Gaskia described the genocide narrative as a “carefully crafted weapon of disinformation” designed to fracture national unity and fuel interfaith hostility.
The PAVE Network Chair further linked the anti-Nigeria campaign to broader efforts targeting African nations with strong regional influence, such as South Africa.
He noted that while Nigeria is being accused of a so-called “Christian genocide,” South Africa faces similar false claims of “white farmer genocide.”
According to him, both narratives are deliberately constructed to weaken African leadership and discredit the continent’s progress.
“This is not just a war on Nigeria,” Gaskia said. “It is a war on Africa and a war on Black people. We must not allow our differences to be manipulated by external forces whose countries were founded on genocide and slavery.”
He called on the Nigerian government and ruling elites to “close ranks,” strengthen governance institutions, and deliver security and development for all citizens.
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Gaskia also urged Nigerians to rise above religious and regional divides, reject divisive propaganda, and hold leaders accountable for their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
“This is the time for Nigerians to rise not as Christians or Muslims, Northerners or Southerners, but as citizens,” he stated. “We must reject and resist any external intervention in our internal affairs while ensuring our leaders uphold their duty to every Nigerian.”
Gaskia warned that the language being used in Western political discourse, such as references to a “disgraced Nigeria” reveals a deeper agenda to stigmatise the nation and justify interventionist policies.
He called for vigilance, critical thinking, and collective action to prevent Nigeria from becoming a pawn in a larger geopolitical conflict.
PAVE Network, a civil society coalition focusing on peace, accountability, and value-based engagement, reiterated its commitment to promoting national cohesion and countering misinformation that threatens Nigeria’s stability.