The Senate on Thursday resolved to engage the Federal Government in designing a coordinated counter-terrorism and diplomatic strategy to counter growing misinformation abroad, particularly the claim of a “Christian genocide” allegedly taking place in Nigeria.
Presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the upper chamber dismissed as false, divisive, and dangerous the allegations made by US Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher, describing them as misinformation capable of undermining Nigeria’s unity and global standing.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West), titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities.”
*Rejects proposed US sanctions, insists insecurity is not religion-driven
At the heart of the Senate’s concern is a proposed legislation before the US Congress, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks to sanction Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution and redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Senators across party and religious lines, however, rejected the basis of the proposed US bill, maintaining that insecurity in Nigeria is rooted in terrorism, banditry, and criminality, not religion.
Leading the debate, Senator Ndume described the genocide narrative as “baseless, misleading, and dangerous,” insisting that terrorism has claimed the lives of both Muslims and Christians alike.
“Terrorists do not ask for religious identity before attacking their victims. Nigerians of all faiths have suffered the same violence. The Senate must take the lead in defending the image of our country,” he declared.
Co-sponsor Senator Magatakarda Wamakko stated that the allegation was “outright misinformation aimed at destroying Nigeria’s unity,” warning that if left unchallenged, the narrative could inflame sectarian tensions and erode international confidence in Nigeria.
Similarly, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) faulted false statistics circulating in Western media suggesting that “100 churches are burnt monthly in Nigeria,” describing it as a deliberate attempt to provoke religious division.
“In my constituency, Muslims and Christians coexist peacefully. It is mischievous to claim otherwise,” he said.
“Terrorism has killed without discrimination, from Borno to Benue and Kaduna to Kano.”
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), who holds a Ph.D. in War Studies, urged a strategic, knowledge-based approach to combating terrorism.
“This is not about Christians or Muslims; it’s about defeating terror in all its forms. We must deepen our understanding of terrorist tactics and develop appropriate counter-measures,” he advised.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio commended senators for their non-partisan stance, describing the US bill as a “one-sided narrative that misrepresents Nigeria’s complex security realities.”
“When terrorists strike, they don’t ask their victims whether they are Christians or Muslims. From Borno to Benue, Kaduna to the Southeast, innocent Nigerians have lost their lives. This is a national tragedy, not a religious war,” Akpabio said.
He warned that sanctions could aggravate economic hardship and undermine stability.
“Sanctions breed poverty, and poverty knows no religion. Engagement, not confrontation, should be our answer,” he stated.
The Senate President proposed collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Presidency to craft a unified national response, including sending a Senate delegation to the US Congress to present Nigeria’s position.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) thereafter moved for the adoption of the Senate’s position affirming that insecurity in Nigeria is not religion-driven. He also proposed that further legislative action be deferred until after an executive session slated for next Tuesday.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who emphasised that the issue should be treated purely as a matter of national security.
Following a unanimous voice vote, the Senate adopted the resolution to hold a closed-door session next week to deliberate on a new counter-terrorism strategy and diplomatic engagement plan with the United States.
Summing up the debate, Akpabio reaffirmed the Senate’s resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity.
“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation. Our diversity should be our strength, not our weakness. We will engage, educate, and correct wrong perceptions. This Senate stands united to defend Nigeria’s integrity and promote peace among all citizens,” he declared.
