November 06, (THEWILL) — Anambra state governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has declared that the killings in Nigeria’s South-East are not religious.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television, Soludo, who faulted U.S. President Donald Trump’s narrative that there is a religious genocide against Christians in the region, said the disturbing reality is that “Christians are killing Christians”. He maintained that the South-East crisis is not about religion but about governance, youth disenchantment, and political alienation.
Soludo said Trump’s comments reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Nigeria’s internal dynamics and the true causes of insecurity in the region. He explained that simplifying the unrest as a case of Christian persecution risks distorting the facts and undermining the search for lasting peace.
“There is a deeper conversation and introspection about what goes on in the country. In this part of the world, eastern Nigeria, it is not 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.
The former Central Bank Governor further noted that the South-East is overwhelmingly Christian, making the claim of anti-Christian killings baseless.
“In this part of the country, we are 95 percent Christians, and the people in the bushes killing people bear Christian names. It is wider than the categorisation of Christians and Muslims. Nigeria will overcome, and it will end in conversation”, he added.
Soludo attributed the crisis to social and economic frustrations that have been exploited by criminal elements and political actors, rather than to any faith-based motivation. He said the killings are symptomatic of a deeper governance problem that requires dialogue and economic reform, not religious framing.
The Governor urged international partners, including the United States, to avoid hasty conclusions and to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty in addressing its internal challenges.
“While the United States is entitled to its opinions. Its actions must still align with international law and respect for national sovereignty”, he said.
Governor Soludo called for a unified national response rooted in justice, inclusion, and job creation as key strategies for restoring peace in the South-East. According to him, empowering the youth and addressing the sense of marginalisation will help dismantle the cycle of violence.
“We must engage our young people, rebuild trust, and open economic opportunities. The solution is not in military intervention or blame, but in honest conversation and collective responsibility”, he charged.
Soludo expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome its current security challenges through unity, dialogue, and national renewal.
“Nigeria will heal. It will end in conversation, not in war. We are one people and must not let misinformation divide us”, he concluded.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
