By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate has moved to challenge what it described as a dangerous and misleading portrayal of Nigeria as a nation perpetrating a “Christian genocide,” warning that such misrepresentations threaten national unity and global credibility.
At Tuesday’s plenary, the upper chamber is expected to debate a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), among others.
In a draft copy of the motion sighted in Abuja, the lawmakers expressed grave concern over “increasing circulation of misleading narratives” in both local and international media, portraying Nigeria as a country where Christians are being systematically exterminated.
While acknowledging that Christian communities have suffered tragic attacks, the senators stressed that insecurity in Nigeria affects people of all faiths — Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions alike.
They cautioned that describing the violence in purely religious terms risks inflaming sectarian divisions, distorting global understanding of Nigeria’s complex security challenges, and undermining national cohesion.
Quoting the motion, the senators noted, “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts.”
The lawmakers expressed concern over recent campaigns in some US congressional circles seeking to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a designation reserved for nations accused of systematic violations of religious freedom.
*Urge foreign missions to verify claims
According to them, such conclusions are primarily based on distorted or one-sided reports that fail to account for the socio-economic, ethnic, and criminal dimensions of Nigeria’s insecurity.
Consequently, the Senate will urge the Federal Government, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information, as well as security agencies, to intensify data-driven public communication to counter misinformation with verified casualty figures and factual narratives.
The motion further calls on religious leaders, civil society groups, and the media to exercise restraint and responsibility in their reports to prevent the escalation of sectarian tensions.
It also encourages international media and diplomatic missions, notably the US Embassy, to rely on balanced, credible sources when reporting on religious issues in Nigeria.
Additionally, the motion seeks to empower the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, and National Security to collaborate with the Executive in developing a national communication strategy to counter false narratives abroad and engage international partners through fact-based briefings.
The senators also demanded that the government ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violence, irrespective of religion, to restore public confidence in state institutions and sustain peace and inclusivity across the federation.
