Nigeria’s Senate To Tackle US Government Following ‘Christian Genocide’ Accusations

The Senate will resume plenary today with a motion to refute what it called a “dangerous and misleading” narrative that depicts Nigeria as a place where Christians are being genocidally murdered.

The motion is being sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), a former Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, and co-sponsored by Senators Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), Sani Musa (Niger East), and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North).

It aims to disavow the United States Congress’ recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to claims of widespread Christian persecution.

“It is urgently necessary to rectify misconceptions about the alleged ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative in Nigeria and the international communities,” reads the draft motion.

If such narratives are not contested, the sponsors cautioned, they may exacerbate sectarian tensions, skew international perceptions, and jeopardize Nigeria’s diplomatic ties and internal cohesion.

While there have been terrible and deplorable attacks on Christian communities in various parts of the country, Ndume pointed out in the motion sighted in Abuja yesterday that Nigerians of all faiths have been affected by the general insecurity brought on by terrorism, banditry, and intercommunal disputes.

He emphasized that both Muslims and Christians have suffered heavy losses in various regions of the nation, arguing that the inaccurate portrayal of these intricate security issues as a religious conflict “does not reflect the reality on the ground.”

The motion asserts that “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts.”

Additionally, it voiced worry that the narrative of “Christian genocide,” which has been promoted by some advocacy groups and foreign media, may exacerbate sectarian hostility and be used by extremist elements to further destabilize the nation.

In order to refute the generalization that Nigeria’s security situation is a “Christian genocide,” the sponsors anticipated that the Senate would pass a number of resolutions stating that the ongoing crises are caused by intricate socioeconomic, ethnic, criminal, and terrorist factors that cut across religious boundaries.

To combat misinformation, it will call on the federal government, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pertinent security agencies, to implement a data-driven communication plan that offers context, confirmed casualty numbers, and investigative results.

In their public remarks, the lawmakers will also urge Nigerian media, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to exercise responsibility and restraint and refrain from spreading stories that might exacerbate sectarian tensions.

The Senate also aims to urge international media and diplomatic missions, including the U.S. Embassy, to rely on reliable and impartial sources, such as independent observers and local communities, when covering Nigeria’s security or religious issues.

Additionally, the motion aims to require the Senate Committees on Information, National Security and Intelligence, and Foreign Affairs to work with the Executive to develop a coordinated national communication strategy that will involve foreign partners, including the U.S. Congress, through fact-based publications and official briefings.

In addition, the lawmakers urged the federal government to address impunity and restore public confidence in state institutions by ensuring justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks, regardless of their faith (Christian, Muslim, or otherwise).

The motion reflects the growing dissatisfaction in Nigerian political circles with foreign representations of the country’s complex insecurity, particularly by Western governments and advocacy groups, which they believe are unfair and simplistic.

In the event that the Senate’s position is approved, it will formally contest the U.S. classification and work to reframe Nigeria as a plural, democratic country that protects its residents of all religions in the face of formidable obstacles.