A civil society organization (CSO) has dismissed claims that the United States is targeting Nigeria over alleged religious persecution, insisting that Washington’s recent hostility is actually rooted in Nigeria’s rejection of two key proposals — the establishment of a US military base and a deportation agreement.
In a statement on Monday, the group said the ongoing diplomatic tension between both countries had been wrongly portrayed as a religious issue, when in reality, it stemmed from Nigeria’s refusal to compromise its sovereignty and internal security interests.
According to the CSO, the US had sought to secure approval for a military base on Nigerian soil as part of its counterterrorism strategy in West Africa, but the Nigerian government declined after reviewing the strategic and security implications.
Similarly, the group revealed that the US deportee deal, which would have allowed the repatriation of thousands of undocumented Nigerians, was rejected due to concerns about human rights violations and lack of proper reintegration plans.
“The narrative of religious persecution is a smokescreen. The truth is that Nigeria stood its ground against foreign influence that could undermine national interests,” the CSO said.
It urged Nigerians to see through what it called “manipulative diplomacy”, adding that the country’s decision to protect its sovereignty should not be misconstrued as hostility toward the West.
The group also commended the Federal Government for maintaining a firm stance on national defense and internal security, while calling for calm and unity amid external pressures.
Observers say the statement adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about US-Nigeria relations, suggesting that strategic and political disagreements — not religion — are at the core of the recent diplomatic rift.
