Alhaji Abubakar Tanko Yakasai, a respected elder statesman and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has rejected claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing that Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully for generations.
In a Vanguard interview, Yakasai criticized foreign media for fusing religious tensions and took a jab at U.S. President Donald Trump for suggesting targeted killings of Christians in the country, calling it an exaggeration for political gain.
“Christians and Muslims have been living in peace; we are brothers and sisters,” Yakasai said, pointing out that mixed-faith families are common, especially in the Middle Belt, long before colonial rule.
He attributed Trump’s comments to a few U.S.-connected individuals, labeling him an “opportunist” seeking relevance.
On Nigeria’s insecurity, Yakasai described it as a national issue, worse in the North, and suggested establishing zonal police commands to bolster the overstretched Nigeria Police Force.
However, he opposed state police, fearing political manipulation. “A zonal setup would help people handle local problems more effectively,” he said.
Yakasai dismissed notions of a North-South rift and predicted President Bola Tinubu might seek and win a second term in 2027, citing his political and financial leverage.
While reflecting on Nigeria’s challenges, he noted every nation faces problems, and solutions come from collective human effort and divine help.
