Wrong Labelling, Akinyemi Angry at Genocide Accusation Against Nigeria

Nigeria’s ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, has decried what he described as an unjustified and unfair attempt to label Nigeria with the charge of genocide.
Featuring on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television, Akinyemi said it was disturbing to see Nigeria being mentioned in the same context as Israel amid accusations of genocide.
The elder statesman warned that such allegations could have serious diplomatic and reputational consequences for the country.
Recall that in September, the US State Department designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, CPC, for alleged violations of religious freedom.
It also proposed sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of facilitating violence against Christians.
“As a Nigerian, I am depressed and upset that the charge of genocide will be levelled at my country.
“When you compare what is happening in Nigeria with what Netanyahu has done in the Middle East, to now link Nigeria and put us in the same basket as Israel and accuse us of genocide, I think it is unjustified,” he said.
He acknowledged that while there have been disturbing incidents of violence in the Middle Belt region, they do not amount to genocide.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister equally faulted what he described as a slow and inadequate response from Nigerian authorities to the issue, urging the government to treat the matter as a national priority rather than a partisan or legislative concern.