Taiwo Popoola
A Nigerian lawyer, Awele Ideal, has written an open letter to United States President Donald Trump, seeking asylum for outspoken Plateau State clergyman, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, following his stance on Christian genocide in the state and Nigeria in general.
In the open letter, the lawyer appealed to Trump to do everything possible to protect the fiery man of God whom she described as the lone voice speaking against the killing of Christians by Islamic extremists, noting that his life could be in danger.
She added that the cleric might be silenced for speaking up about the Christian killings in Plateau due to his boldness in the face of terror.
Awele, who described Rev. Dachomo, who is the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi LGA, as a true servant of God who stands for the truth, urged President Trump to, as a matter of urgency, grant the cleric asylum in the United States.
Part of her letter reads:
“Dear President Donald J. Trump, I sincerely pray you come across this post. I’m writing to suggest that granting this man, Rev. Ezekiel, ASYLUM in the USA should be your topmost priority, else he may be silenced for life because he is like a lone voice in the midst of this turbulence.
“Even fellow Nigerian pastors and his contemporaries are cowards who cannot boldly speak truth to power like Rev. Ezekiel is doing. Most of them have soiled their hands with our corrupt politicians, and so are as corrupt as the Nigerian Leaders.
“Please, Sir, do all you can to protect this man. May he not lose his life for speaking up. Thank you, Sir.
“To you, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, I sincerely thank you for your boldness in the face of terror. You are a true servant of God who stands bold for the truth and leads by example. I humbly pray that you and your family be divinely blessed and protected, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
However, Awele raised some concerns about Rev. Dachomo accepting asylum in the US if one is offered due to his earlier claims that he has been marked for elimination and that he is not afraid of death.
She said, “I know Rev. Dachomo may not accept asylum if granted. However, it will be good if he accepts because we need him alive for the court trial at the ICC.
