Nigerians React to Pastor Femi Lazarus’ Claim That the U.S. Aims to Divide the Country

Nigerians have taken to social media to express mixed reactions to comments made by Pastor Femi Lazarus, who alleged that the United States’ recent concern over the killing of Christians in Nigeria is part of a broader agenda to divide the country.

Pastor Lazarus, founder of the Sphere of Light Church, had warned in a viral video that U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements on religious killings in Nigeria were “not innocent,” accusing Washington of using humanitarian issues as a tool for interference. He also recalled that during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the U.S. reportedly blocked Nigeria’s attempt to purchase weapons to fight insurgents.

“Everywhere the U.S. steps into burns. Be careful, they claim to be bringing help, but their aim is to penetrate,” he had stated.

Following his remarks, online discussions erupted across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and other platforms, with Nigerians sharply divided over his comments.

Some users praised the cleric for “speaking truth to power,” agreeing that foreign nations often act in their own strategic interests.

“Pastor Femi is right. The U.S. never does anything without an agenda. Nigerians should wake up,” one user wrote on X.

Others, however, criticised his statement as “conspiratorial” and “misleading,” arguing that highlighting religious violence should not be politicised.

@UnkleAyo wrote; Low budget Fela Durotoye doesn’t surprise me any more.

It is convenient to sit in air-conditioned churches with a cleanly pressed suit and utter this madness because you have a business to protect.

Your CAN chairman was SLÅÜGHTËRĒD on Facebook Live, Femi.

You dangerous swine. Femi Lazarus is a smart guy. What you saw isn’t a wrong take, it is called public repositioning.

Your pastors are now in bed with the collaborators & he’s playing a role – a soft landing role to appeal to the strings of Christian gullibility.

The next slur he’s going to use in his next sermon is “mob”. Watch.

And this is exactly what turns my belly:

When the ones who are meant to speak up for you lead you, you begin to do otherwise – you cuss them out, you rebel loudly.

Your lives are literally at stake. People are dying. Clergymen are being decimated.

The Lagos bubble is definitely blinding and deafening.

These people up north, dying weekly, do not have the luxury of ‘correcting with love’. Jesus Christ.”

@SamPresto01 wrote: “The Hypocrisy of Some Religious Leaders

It is disheartening to see some men who occupy revered pulpits choose the path of hypocrisy and political alignment over truth and moral clarity. One of such is Pastor Femi Lazarus, who recently claimed that Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” was not born out of genuine intent, but rather a plot by America to infiltrate Nigeria for economic gain.

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it becomes dangerous when spiritual leaders deliberately twist facts to suit political narratives. What Pastor Lazarus conveniently failed to mention is how the United States first became entangled in Nigeria’s political affairs through the ruling APC party, a truth he either ignores or pretends not to know.

Let’s begin with a reminder of history. During the run-up to the 2015 elections, the then-opposition party APC, led by Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other party stalwarts, visited the Obama-led Democratic government in the United States. Their mission was clear: to solicit support and international backing to unseat President Goodluck Jonathan.

That very act opened the door for American political influence in Nigeria. It was the APC, not Trump or any Republican, that courted the U.S. Democratic government into our internal politics. If Pastor Lazarus wants to talk about infiltration, why has he never spoken about this open invitation that allowed America to plant its political footprint in Nigeria’s democratic process?

When Barack Obama became president, one of his major foreign policy goals in Africa was regime change in Nigeria. To achieve that, the Democrat administration allegedly looked the other way while insecurity grew under Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership. Boko Haram was weaponised, politically and militarily, to destabilise his government and justify the need for change.

Republican Congressman Scott Perry recently confirmed this narrative, stating that the Obama administration’s handling of Nigeria under Jonathan was deeply political. America’s refusal to sell weapons to Jonathan’s government during the height of the insurgency wasn’t about human rights concerns as they claimed, it was a calculated political move to weaken his administration and pave the way for the APC.

Even Jonathan himself, in an interview, confirmed that the U.S. Democratic government not only supported Buhari’s campaign but also sent Obama’s campaign manager to help strategise for the APC. So, if Pastor Lazarus must speak of American interference, why stop at Trump? Why skip the part where the Democrats openly manipulated Nigeria’s democracy for their benefit?

The peak of Pastor Lazarus’ hypocrisy lies in his generalisation of “America” as though the U.S. government acts as one monolithic body. Anyone with a basic understanding of global politics knows that Democrats and Republicans differ sharply in ideology and foreign policy.

Obama and Trump are not the same. Biden and Trump are not the same. Even within Nigeria, we differentiate between administrations. You cannot say “Nigerian presidents are always Ministers of Petroleum” when, in reality, it has been only APC presidents who have held that portfolio.

Likewise, you cannot generalise “America” when one president’s actions often contradict the next. To ignore these distinctions is not ignorance, it is deliberate manipulation. It’s the same as comparing Saul’s reign with David’s and claiming they represent the same character simply because both were kings of Israel. The Bible teaches discernment, not blind generalisation.

So, the question is: Does Pastor Lazarus not know this, or is he simply acting out a political script written by the APC establishment?

By joining the bandwagon of those claiming America plans to “invade Nigeria,” Pastor Lazarus and his kind are deliberately diverting attention from the real issue, the ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria.”

@novieverest said “Femi Lazarus is funny. Donald Trump admitted the US was wrong for not selling weapons to Nigeria.

Guess who worked with Barack and Michelle Obama to frustrate Goodluck Jonathan then?

Tinubu, Buhari, APC.
Femi Lazarus should study his history completely.”

@real_POK said, “Femi Lazarus is a motivational speaker, he’s not a pastor.”

@nedumcity_ wrote “Femi Lazarus is a politician. He’s part of the religious wing of APC. They’re called Young Believers In Politics Network.”

@Healthwolf2 wrote “What Femi Lazarus is doing is committing violence against the truth. America got a report from Nigeria by a Nigerian that the weapons America was selling to Nigeria are being used to target both terrorists and Civilians. They presented evidence and got America to halt the sale.”

@saintevegreen shared a poster showing Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader with Apostle Lazurus explaining that Pastor Lazurus’ comments stem from his association with the All Progressive Congress at the event titled ‘Young Believers in Politics Network.’

“Little wonder why Femi Lazarus will say what he said. Below could mirror his motivation.

When Christianity and conscience are sold for a mouthful of bread and porridge. Cain will say, “after all, it’s not alone me.”