A Hollow Cry: The AVID Letter to Trump and the Politics of Igbo Irredentism
A Hollow Cry: The AVID Letter to Trump and the Politics of Igbo Irredentism By Umar Ardo, Ph.D The recent letter by the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) addressed to U.S. President Donald J. Trump is a disheartening display of national hatred and ethnic irredentism masquerading as religious advocacy. Dated November 2, 2025, and signed by Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia and Dr. Godson Obiagwu, the letter thanks Mr. Trump for designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged persecution of and genocide against Christians. Beneath its polite diplomatic tone lies a familiar pattern of behaviour - the Igbo elite’s reflexive ethnic opposition to the Nigerian state, which they do not believe in unless controlled by them. 2. AVID’s claim that there is a genocidal campaign against Christians in Nigeria is not only false but maliciously misleading. I...