The Senate on Thursday announced plans to engage the federal government to develop a coordinated counter-terrorism and diplomatic strategy following a proposed bill in the United States seeking imposition of sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of religious persecution.
The lawmakers also dismissed as false and divisive allegations by US Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher that Nigeria was witnessing a “Christian genocide”.
In 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 several senators, including Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West).the Nigerian lawmakers described the narrative as dangerous misinformation capable of threatening Nigeria’s unity and international reputation.
The upper chamber also considered broader implications of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, currently before the US Congress.
The proposed legislation seeks to sanction Nigerian officials, allegedly, complicit in religious persecution, re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” and penalise those enforcing Sharia or blasphemy laws.
In their contributions, senators across party and religious divides unanimously rejected the premise of the US bill, describing it as a gross misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security realities.
They stressed that insecurity in the country was not religion-driven, but a product of terrorism, banditry, and criminality.
Ndume, while leading debate on the motion, said the claims by Cruz and Maher were “baseless and misleading,” arguing that they failed to acknowledge that terrorism in Nigeria targets all citizens, regardless of faith.
He said the senate must take the lead in defending the country’s image and supporting government efforts to combat extremism.
Co-sponsor of the motion, 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 and defend our country’s integrity.”He said
Similarly, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) expressed concern that the misinformation could fuel sectarian tension and damage diplomatic ties.
“It is shocking that such a bill could emanate from a respected parliament like the US Congress. In my constituency, Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully. The claim that 100 churches are burnt every month in Nigeria is false and mischievous.” Sumaila said
According to him, terrorism in the country does not discriminate as both Christians and Muslims have suffered heavy casualties from the act.
“In Borno, Kaduna, and Kano, hundreds of Muslims have also been killed. Terrorism in Nigeria does not discriminate, it kills Christians and Muslims alike,” Sumaila stated.
He stated that it was imperative for the Senate to take measures to correct the ugly narrative before the U.S Senate before its passage to avert unfair criminalisation of Nigerian leaders.
“We must take decisive steps to correct this false narrative and show the world that Nigeria is not a nation at war with itself along religious lines.”
On his part,Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), who holds a Ph.D. in War Studies, urged the senate to adopt a knowledge-based approach to security management.
“We need to understand the tactics and praxis of the terrorists before recommending the right counterterrorism approach.
“This is not about Christians or Muslims. It is about understanding how to defeat terror in all its forms.”
The president of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio commended the robust and non-partisan debate, describing the US bill as a “one-sided narrative” that distorts Nigeria’s security situation. He stressed that terrorism in Nigeria affected people of all faiths and regions.
“When terrorists attack, they don’t ask if their victims are Christians or Muslims. In Borno, Benue, Kaduna, and the South-east, Nigerians of all backgrounds have lost their lives. This is a national tragedy, not a religious war.” He said.
Akpabio warned that that sanctions could accelerate economic hardship adding that dialogue rather than confrontation would be the way to go.
“Sanctions breed poverty, and poverty knows no religion.
“Therefore, engagement, not confrontation, should be our response.”
While proposing that the senate should collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Adviser’s office, and the presidency to craft a comprehensive counter-terrorism and diplomatic strategy,Akpabio
suggested that a high-level Senate delegation visit the US Congress to present Nigeria’s perspective and correct the misconceptions.
Moving the motion for adoption, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), proposed that further legislative action be deferred until after an executive session slated for next Tuesday.
“Our resolution today is that the senate totally supports this motion and affirms that insecurity in Nigeria is not religion-driven. We should meet in executive session next week to fashion out a comprehensive national response.”
His motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central),
