Tinubu Appointed Me Minister Because Of My Christian Background — Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has responded to comments by United States President Donald Trump alleging mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, stating that President Bola Tinubu appointed him to his cabinet because of his Christian background and ethical pedigree.

In a letter addressed to Trump and shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, Keyamo urged the US leader to broaden his sources of information regarding alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

He described President Tinubu as a “moderate Muslim leader” who would be the last person to adopt or condone the killing of Christians as state policy.

The minister, a recipient of the Global Human Rights Award from the United States Global Leadership Council, said there was no truth in claims that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria because of their faith.

He wrote, “Because of my strong Christian background and ethical pedigree, it would have been most unconscionable for me to associate with — let alone serve — a government that persecutes Christians. It is simply not true.”

Keyamo further explained that like the US and many other nations, Nigeria has faced its own share of violence from groups such as Boko Haram, herdsmen, and cattle rustlers, but those attacks were not faith-based.

He said President Tinubu inherited the decades-old problems and has made significant progress in tackling them, noting that most of the security chiefs appointed by the President were Christians, making it “unthinkable” for them to be complicit in any alleged persecution.

The minister highlighted Tinubu’s history of religious tolerance, noting that his wife is a pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal churches, while most of his children are practising Christians.

“Nigeria is a secular state,” he emphasised, “with a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the adoption of a state faith — reflecting the nation’s religious diversity and coexistence.”

Keyamo added that insecurity in parts of the country has affected adherents of all religions, stressing that the government has not shown favouritism toward any group.

He also pointed out that even opposition politicians agree there was no targeted killing of Christians in Nigeria.

Keyamo appealed to Trump and the US. government for deeper understanding and collaboration, saying, “The Nigerian people ask for support, cooperation, and open dialogue at this time, and for you to broaden your sources of information to get a balanced view of events in our country.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform last week, accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what he called the killing of Christians.

He directed the US War Department to prepare for possible actions in Nigeria and warned that America would suspend aid and assistance if the alleged attacks continued — even suggesting potential military intervention against what he described as “Islamic terrorists.”