Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has rejected claims of a religious genocide in Nigeria’s South East, insisting that the violence in the region is not driven by religion.

Soludo was responding to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being killed in Nigeria and hinted that Washington might take military action to “protect Christians.”

Speaking during a live media chat on Channels Television, Soludo said while the United States is entitled to its opinions, its actions must still respect international law.

“There is a deeper conversation and introspection about what goes on in this part of the country. In eastern Nigeria, it is not religious,” he stated.

The governor emphasized that most of the ongoing violence in the region is intra-communal rather than religious.

“People are killing themselves, Christians killing Christians. The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter and John, all Christian names, and they have maimed and killed thousands of our youths. It has nothing to do with religion,” he said.

Soludo noted that the South East is about 95 percent Christian, yet the perpetrators and victims of most attacks share the same faith.

“In this part of the country, we are 95 percent Christians, and the people in the bushes killing others bear Christian names,” he reiterated.

“It is much wider than the categorisation of Christians and Muslims.”

He urged both local and international observers to avoid framing the crisis as a religious conflict and instead focus on addressing the political, social, and economic causes of insecurity in the region.

“Nigeria will overcome, and it will end in conversation,” Soludo added, calling for dialogue and reconciliation as the path to lasting peace.

A tragic accident claimed the life of a female political supporter identified simply as Nana during a campaign rally for the just-concluded council elections in Suleja, Niger State.

Eyewitness Ubale Bala told Abuja Metro that the incident occurred on Thursday near the main junction in the Maje community, on the outskirts of Suleja.

According to Bala, the campaign convoy, which included all councillorship and chairmanship candidates under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had departed Suleja metropolis earlier that afternoon, making stops in Kwamba and Maje communities.

He explained that the open-body vehicle carrying Nana and other supporters somersaulted due to reckless driving.

The truck, which was also transporting a power generator and sound system, burst into flames after the crash.

“The generator caught fire immediately after the vehicle somersaulted,” Bala said.

“The victim could not be rescued quickly, which caused severe burns from the lower part of her body downward.”

Another eyewitness, Abdulmumini Ahmad, revealed that earlier in the day, four party supporters sustained injuries during a confrontation between rival APC factions, those backing first-term and second-term aspirants, at Kwamba.

Ahmad said the campaign rally was suspended following the second, fatal incident.

“She was rushed to Talba Hospital in Suleja, where doctors confirmed her dead. She was later buried the same day,” he said.

When contacted, Suleja Area Police Commander, Muhammad Sani Musa, said the matter had not yet been formally reported to his office.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the presence of his sons at official engagements in Nigeria and abroad, insisting that no law prevents him from travelling with them.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike addressed the viral photos showing his sons accompanying him to events, including a recent summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“What law says that my sons shouldn’t travel? Let the FCT say where they paid one naira,” Wike said.

“What official matter? Did they sign any document? I have the right to travel with anyone from the FCT or from anywhere in Nigeria.”

The former Rivers State governor explained that his sons, who hold master’s degrees, are gaining exposure through these trips.

“They have to know how Nigeria works. They have to learn about government,” he said.

When asked whether he was grooming them for political careers, Wike dismissed the suggestion.

“No, that’s not correct. My first son is a lawyer but says he wants to be a farmer. He’s trained in Spain and Lisbon. My second son has a master’s in Economics from King’s College and wants to go into real estate,” he explained.

Wike said he was grateful for the discipline and character of his children, contrasting them with what he described as wayward behaviour seen elsewhere.

“I’m happy that I have children who give me comfort and not problems. Assuming they were somewhere smoking, you’d have said, ‘Look at Wike’s children.’ I will not travel with my enemy’s children,” he added.

Photos of Wike and his sons at official ceremonies, including project inaugurations in Abuja, have circulated widely online, drawing mixed reactions.

Critics recently faulted the minister for taking them to an international summit in Dubai, but Wike insists he has done nothing wrong.

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced deep concern over the United States’ recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and its warning of possible military intervention. He described the development as a wake-up call for Nigerians.

Obi highlighted the nation’s escalating insecurity, citing reports that over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed since May 2023.

He said these deaths are largely avoidable and attributed the worsening situation to weak leadership, poor governance, and a lack of commitment from those in power.

While acknowledging that insecurity predates the current administration, Obi criticized the ruling APC government for incompetence and ineffective management of national resources.

He stressed that Nigeria should be a country where justice and peace prevail, without oppression or fear.

Obi urged constructive diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States, calling on both countries to strengthen cooperation and adopt peaceful, practical solutions to the security crisis.

He stated:

“The recent pronouncement by the US declaring Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and the indication of possible military action should alarm every Nigerian. Nigeria is experiencing unprecedented insecurity, with shocking loss of lives and property. According to Amnesty International, over 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023. This is avoidable with competent leadership.”

He added that both nations, as strategic partners, should work together to address the prevailing security challenges.

The comments come after US President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, instructed the Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria. Trump accused the Nigerian government of ignoring the “mass slaughter of Christians” and warned that the United States could halt all aid and possibly intervene militarily.

Trump said:

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S. will immediately stop all aid and may go into that country ‘guns-a-blazing’ to wipe out the Islamic terrorists responsible for these atrocities. I am instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorists attack our cherished Christians.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that Christians are being systematically killed in Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing such claims as “politics taken too far.”

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Wike said it was unfair and misleading to accuse a government he serves in of supporting genocide or religious persecution.

“It is an indictment that a government I am serving in would be accused of supporting genocide or the killing of Christians. This is politics taken too far,” Wike stated.

He pointed out that key figures in Nigeria’s security architecture, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chief of Defence Staff, are all Christians.

“Tell me, how would any reasonable person believe that we would sit in government and support the killing of our own people?” he asked.

Wike maintained that the killing of any Nigerian, regardless of religion or region, should be a source of concern to every national leader.

His remarks followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who at the weekend threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to draw up plans for a “possible attack” on Nigeria, warning that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous country.

“If Nigeria does not stop the killings, the United States will attack and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorists attack our cherished Christians,” Trump wrote.

The U.S president later reiterated his threat after the Nigerian government proposed diplomatic talks to address the issue. Asked by reporters if he was considering deploying American troops or air strikes, Trump responded, “Could be, I envisage a lot of things.”

Reacting to Trump’s statements, Wike said he suspected “misinformation or distortion” might have influenced the U.S. leader’s comments.

“There could be some misinformation or distortion. It’s unfortunate,” he said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, on Monday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he made the move to protect the state from what he described as the PDP’s “terminal decline.”

The declaration took place at a grand reception held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, which was transformed into a rally ground decorated with APC flags, banners, and stages.

Thousands of supporters, women’s groups, youth blocs, and cultural troupes thronged the venue in celebration of the governor’s defection.

Diri, who resigned from the PDP on October 15, said he had made several efforts to stabilize the party but could no longer watch as what he called “undertakers” took control of its structures.

“We tried all we could to save the PDP but to no avail. The undertakers were busy burying the party. I never wanted my state to be buried along with it,” he said.

The governor explained that after wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders, he decided to join the APC to ensure Bayelsa’s political and developmental survival.

“This decision is not just about Bayelsa; it represents a larger movement, the Ijaw nation is moving to the APC,” he declared.

Diri, a known Ijaw activist, referenced his long-standing advocacy for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the project aligns with the aspirations of the coastal communities.

“For years, we demanded this road linking Lagos to Calabar. Today, President Tinubu has shown the will to make it happen. Are we going to abandon such a man?” he asked rhetorically.

Responding to speculations that his defection might cost him his office, Diri dismissed the claims, insisting that only impeachment by the State House of Assembly could remove a sitting governor.

“The Speaker and majority of the Assembly members are with me. There’s no threat to my mandate,” he stated confidently.

The event drew prominent figures from the ruling APC, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the presidential delegation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, APC governors, serving ministers, and other national leaders.

Also in attendance were Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh.

Diri expressed gratitude to the APC leadership for welcoming him, saying Bayelsa needed to align with a national political platform that could ensure growth and inclusion.

“Bayelsa must align with a national force that gives us room to breathe politically. The APC provides that opportunity,” he said.