The Nigerian Senate has resolved to hold a closed-door executive session to deliberate on recent allegations of Christian genocide in the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision came after a motion of urgent national importance was moved on Thursday by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, and supported by several lawmakers from diverse political and regional backgrounds.
Ndume explained that the motion aims to address what he described as misleading foreign narratives that wrongly depict Nigeria’s security crisis as religiously motivated.
He stressed that the nation’s unity depends on truth, tolerance, and an accurate understanding of its complex social realities.
According to him, while some international organisations and religious advocacy groups may mean well, their exaggerated reports have fueled global misconceptions about Nigeria’s situation.
The senator cited numerous attacks in Plateau, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states between 2022 and 2023, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry.
He reminded his colleagues that the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal protection for all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
Supporting the motion, Senator Aliyu Wamakko from Sokoto North described the Christian genocide claims as false and divisive, warning that such misinformation could further polarise the nation.
Senator Sumaila Kawu of Kano South added that the United States Congress risked forming an uninformed opinion about Nigeria’s realities, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo South called for deeper collaboration between the legislature and executive to enhance counter-terrorism strategies.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised that terrorism in Nigeria is not religion-based but often influenced by geography and circumstance.
He explained that when attacks occur in predominantly Christian or Muslim areas, the victims reflect the demography of that location.
Akpabio cautioned that international sanctions arising from misinformation could harm Nigeria’s economy and urged lawmakers to engage directly with their U.S. counterparts to clarify the true situation.
Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi confirmed that members unanimously agreed that Nigeria’s insecurity challenges are not driven by religion.
He said the Senate will hold an executive session on the next legislative day to formulate a clear strategy for engaging international partners and countering damaging narratives.
The development follows growing international attention after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill proposing that Nigeria be designated as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians.
In response, both President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris have dismissed the allegations as unfounded, ignorant, and inconsistent.
