Barring any last-minute changes, the Senate will today debate a motion seeking to correct what it called ‘dangerous misrepresentations’ of the country’s security challenges over a campaign of ‘Christian genocide’ by some foreign media outlets and others.
The motion, titled: ‘Urgent need to correct misconceptions regarding the purported ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,’ is sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), and several others.
In the draft motion sighted by our reporter in Abuja, the senators expressed concern over what they called ‘increasing circulation of misleading narratives’ in both local and international spaces, alleging a systematic genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
The lawmakers acknowledged the tragic and unacceptable attacks suffered by Christian communities in various parts of the country, saying the violence in Nigeria has affected citizens of all faiths, including Muslims and adherents of other religions.
They warned that mischaracterising the ongoing security crisis in purely religious terms ‘risks inflaming sectarian divisions, distorting international understanding, and undermining national unity’.
The motion reads: ‘The Senate: Aware that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts;
‘Concerned about the increasing circulation of narratives – both within and outside Nigeria – alleging an ongoing ‘Christian genocide’ in the country, which have been amplified by certain foreign media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious networks;
‘Further concerned that these narratives, though emotive, often fail to reflect the complex realities of Nigeria’s security challenges and may fuel sectarian mistrust, distort international perceptions, and undermine national cohesion and Nigeria’s diplomatic relations;
‘Notes that Nigeria has in recent years faced serious security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds, resulting in loss of lives and property among both Christian and Muslim communities;
‘Notes that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees freedom of religion, equal protection of the law, and obliges the government to secure the lives and property of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity;
‘Recognises the critical role of accurate information and responsible leadership in preventing sectarian division and countering extremist narratives;
‘Worried about the recent events in the U.S. Senate and Congress, where they have taken initiatives to designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ which is a foreign policy tool to target human rights or religious freedom violations.’
The lawmakers are to pray the Senate to: ‘Reject the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s security crises as a ‘Christian genocide,’ and affirm that the ongoing conflicts are rooted in complex socio-economic, ethnic, criminal, and terrorist dynamics which cut across religious lines.
‘Urge the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Security agencies, and relevant stakeholders, to intensify data-driven public communication by providing accurate casualty figures, context, and investigative outcomes to counter misinformation.
‘Call on religious leaders, Civil society organisations, and the Nigerian media to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements and reporting, avoiding language that could inflame sectarian tensions or misrepresent the national situation.
‘Encourage diplomatic missions, especially the U.S. Embassy, International organisations, and foreign media to rely on verified, balanced, and credible sources-including Security agencies, local communities, and independent observers-when reporting on religiously sensitive issues in Nigeria.
‘Mandate the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, National Security and Intelligence; and any relevant committee as may be deemed appropriate) to:
‘Work with the Executive to develop a coordinated national communications strategy to clarify misinformation on religious violence;
‘Engage the U.S. Senate and Congress; International partners and Diaspora networks through official briefings and fact-based publications to correct misconceptions;
‘Support interfaith peacebuilding programmes that emphasise shared victimhood and national unity.
‘Urge the Federal Government to ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks – whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise – to address impunity and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.’
If adopted, the Senate’s resolutions are expected to form the basis of a coordinated diplomatic and public information effort aimed at correcting international opinions about religious violence in Nigeria.
The United States recently expressed ‘deep concern’ over the persistent violence targeting Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria, urging the government in Abuja to take stronger measures to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks.
The statement followed remarks by American comedian Bill Maher, who highlighted the growing number of Christians killed by extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.
In a statement to Newsweek, the U.S. State Department confirmed it had repeatedly raised the issue with the Nigerian government at the highest levels.
Maher recently cautioned Western media for ignoring what he described as the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Speaking on his HBO show ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ on September 26, Maher accused news outlets and political elites of deliberately staying silent while Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias slaughtered Christians and raze churches across Nigeria.
‘Nigeria, the fact that this issue has not gotten on people’s radar, it’s pretty amazing,’ Maher said. ‘If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble.’
The comedian, who is an outspoken critic of religion but often uses his platform to highlight uncomfortable truths, compared the violence to a full-scale genocide.
‘I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,’ he said.
During the show, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (Republican, South Carolina) thanked Maher for raising the alarm, stressing that the media had failed to cover the crisis with the urgency it deserved.
Reacting to the claim, the Federal Government of Nigeria dismissed such reports, suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians, describing such claims as ‘false, baseless, despicable, and divisive’.
In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group as ‘a gross misrepresentation of reality’.
The minister stressed that terrorist groups target people of all faiths.
‘The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands,’ he said.