Genocide of Christians: A smokescreen, by Lai Olurode
The threat by the President of America that unless the Federal Government of Nigeria stops the killings of Christians in Nigeria, it will initiate military action against the country is both alarming and misleading.
Over the past couple of years, Nigeria has consistently been under indiscriminate terrorist attacks. These attacks target military installations, including barracks, public institutions providing social services, vital economic and social infrastructure, as well as religious and worship centres. Foreign offices in Nigeria have also been attacked. There is hardly any state in the country that has not fallen victim to terrorist attacks.
As a matter of statistics, there seems to be emerging evidence indicating that acts of terrorism are declining under the present government.
In the perception of rational people and governments across the world, the real reasons for Mr. Donald Trump’s contemplated action against Nigeria and his vituperations can be categorised as racial, economic, social, and political.
Without a doubt, since assuming office—and even during his political campaign for the White House—Trump has demonstrated hatred for Black Americans and generally for all coloured people. Once he assumed office, his immigration regime reflected blatant racial bigotry and hatred for the Melting Pot ideology. This is the same country that once preached how to avert the clash of civilizations. Trump is not a supporter of globalization or civilization.
On economic grounds, it seems that for the first time in Nigeria’s history, the oil industry is being revolutionised as the country now refines its own crude. No doubt, this shift is taking away jobs from America’s oil workers and shippers. The Dangote phenomenon must be having its toll on Americans. One is reminded of the seminar presentation by Walter Rodney in his How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. America and Europe would prefer that we remain perpetually dependent on them. Dangote’s refinery is set to become the largest in the world. The global oil conglomerates and major producers will be saddened by this development. Trump must be having sleepless nights and nightmares.
Socially, Nigerians in the diaspora are not only economic migrants but also our social ambassadors. Nigeria’s culture cannot be ignored in major American and European cities. Trump and his co-travellers are not friends of multiculturalism—the reality of today’s world. Military attacks on Nigeria will certainly disrupt this inevitable social process.
Lastly, in a political sense, America’s global dominance often feeds on fueling violence in the world’s fledgling democracies. Not many powerful countries believe that Nigeria’s democracy could remain uninterrupted for a quarter of a century.
In response to Mr. Trump’s provocative moves, President Tinubu’s government should display decorum and respect for the most powerful country in a unipolar world. Nigeria should not turn itself into a theatre of war, which America appears to be luring it into. Simultaneously, Nigeria’s elites should sink their differences and mobilize national sentiments behind the government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If Nigeria goes under, there will be no country left for the pursuit of our diverse aspirations.
There seems to be no country that can stop America. We should be diplomatic rather than emotional or display morbid patriotism. President Trump can even be angry with the truth. So far, our government has acted with caution and with the consciousness that America can kill Nigeria’s fly with a sledgehammer. It would be suicidal to walk into America’s deathtrap.
Lai Olurode
A retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos and former National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
