Senate Urges Stronger Security Measures, Rejects Christian Genocide Claim
The Senate on Thursday dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the claims made by US Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher as false.
The Senate claims the allegations were divisive and capable of undermining national unity.
It would be recalled that US Senator Ted Cruz, in a podcast with television host Bill Maher, claimed that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” in Nigeria — a situation he described as genocide.
Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed similar claims, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities.
Lawmakers, while debating a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” resolved to work closely with the Federal Government on more effective counter-terrorism strategies to address insecurity.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), among others, sought to counter what senators described as dangerous misinformation circulating in international media.
Seconding the motion, Senator Magatakarda Wamakko denounced the genocide narrative as “outright misinformation aimed at destroying our nation.”
“This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue,” he said.
Also speaking, Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South) warned that such unfounded allegations could strain Nigeria’s international relations and fuel sectarian tension.
Kawu said, “It is very common knowledge to us that nobody is supporting any act of terrorism in Nigeria. The government is doing its best to make sure we are living in a conducive atmosphere. Some of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in my own state are members of the security council and traditional institutions.
“If they pass the bill in the US, it will be dangerous to us, both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. I am seriously worried that the US Congress or a ranking US senator will come up with a very uninformed position. As a parliament, we must join hands with our government to inform the US government and the US parliament that the position they are taking is not in tandem with what is going on.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
