It’s Lion, Tiger Situation – Shehu Sani Rejects Trump’s Designating Nigeria A Country Of Particular Concern
Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central Senator, has criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern, CPC, over alleged religious persecution.
In a post on X on Saturday, Sani described the designation as baseless and founded on misinformation, arguing that terrorist and bandit attacks in Nigeria target victims regardless of their religious affiliation.
He said the religious demographics of the country make it “technically impossible” for one faith to systematically persecute another, likening Nigeria’s situation to “a Lion and Tiger” rather than “a Lion and Zebra” configuration.
The former lawmaker accused those who influenced Trump’s decision of seeking to sow division for selfish gain, adding that Nigeria, like other nations battling terrorism, needs global support rather than condemnation.
He wrote: “I understand that Nigeria is among the 12 countries designated as one of particular Concern.The designation of Nigeria is founded on outright falsehoods and wholesale misinformation.
“Terrorists and bandits in Nigeria kill and kidnap their victims irrespective of their religious beliefs.The records are self evident in the last 15 years.
“Looking at the Muslim/Christian ratio in Nigeria, it’s technically impossible for one faith to persecute another. Nigeria is a Lion and Tiger situation and not a Lion and a Zebra configuration.
“Trump was misinformed by anarchists and lackeys and apprentices of neocolonialism who aimed to benefit from their seeds of division, divisiveness and discontent.This particular weapon raised against this country shall never prosper. Nigeria, like all nations battling terrorism, needs support and assistance to tackle its security challenges.”
I understand that Nigeria is among the 12 countries designated as one of particular Concern.The designation of Nigeria is founded on outright falsehoods and wholesale misinformation.Terrorists and bandits in Nigeria kill and kidnap their victims irrespective of their religious…
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) November 1, 2025