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 Democrats 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. Democrats 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 weaponized, politically and militarily to destabilize 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. Democrat government not only supported Buhari’s campaign but also sent Obama’s campaign manager to help strategize 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 generalization of “America” as though the U.S. government acts as one monolithic body. Anyone with 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 generalize “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 generalization. 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.