Sunday Dare Faults Ted Cruz, Bill Maher Over ‘Christian Genocide’ Claims in Nigeria
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has dismissed recent claims by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, television host Bill Maher, and political analyst Van Jones alleging that Nigeria is experiencing a “Christian genocide.”
In a statement on Monday via his X handle titled “Debunking the Genocide Frenzy by Senator Ted Cruz, Bill Maher, Van Jones et al,” Dare described the allegations as false, misleading, and capable of fuelling division.
He said the commentators were “orchestrating wild allegations about unproven ongoing genocide” and urged Nigerians and the global community to reject attempts to “robe the country with a garment that is not hers.”
Dare maintained that Nigeria remains a multi-religious nation built on tolerance and mutual respect, citing President Tinubu’s stance on unity and freedom of worship.
Quoting Tinubu, he said, “Nigeria is a proud, sovereign nation built on the faith and resilience of its people. No faith is under siege and no community is excluded.”
He added, “We must never allow outsiders to tell us who we are or sow division among us. Our diversity is not our weakness but our strength.”
The presidential aide also referenced Tinubu’s marriage to a Christian pastor as evidence of religious harmony, stressing that “hate is not an option for us. Love is what we preach, and we should love one another.”
Dare stated that the narrative of a “Christian genocide” misrepresents Nigeria’s security realities, noting that the country faces terrorism and banditry driven by greed and chaos, not religion.
“These extremists target civilians indiscriminately — churches, mosques, markets, schools, and villages — killing Nigerians of every faith and ethnicity,” he said.
He warned that framing the conflict as religious plays into the hands of terrorists and undermines the unity of Nigerians who continue to resist extremism together.
Dare urged Cruz, Maher, and others to “engage with the facts before amplifying falsehoods that embolden extremists and malign an entire nation.”
“Nigeria deserves solidarity in its fight against terror, not careless rhetoric that fuels misunderstanding. The truth remains simple — Nigeria is not witnessing a Christian genocide; it is confronting terrorism that targets everyone. And whoever alleges must prove,” he concluded.
Cruz had recently claimed during a podcast with Maher that Christians were being systematically killed in Nigeria, describing it as genocide — a view also supported by Maher and Van Jones.
Their remarks have since drawn a strong rebuttal from the Federal Government, which insists the violence in Nigeria stems from terrorism and criminality, not religion.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
