Presidency Dismisses US Report On Persecution Of Christians

The Presidency has dismissed a recent report by the United States Foreign Relations Committee which formed the basis for congressional approval of potential sanctions over alleged Christian persecution in the country.

Special adviser to the president on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, described the report as lacking both context and timeliness, insisting that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, incidents of religious persecution in Nigeria had significantly declined.

Bwala made this assertion in a post on his verified X handle, @BwalaDaniel, stressing that the current administration was committed to religious harmony.

“The administration of @officialABAT President Bola Tinubu promotes religious tolerance. Since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, there have been little to no cases of Christian persecution anywhere in the country,” he wrote.

He emphasised that Nigeria remained a multi-religious nation where the government was actively fostering peaceful coexistence among different faiths.

The Presidency’s response followed mounting concerns over the US Congress’ decision to approve sanctions on Nigeria, citing alleged killing of Christians.

The move has sparked a debate with the Nigerian government asserting that such claims were outdated and do not reflect the present reality.

Supporting this stance, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North, Rev. Yakubu Pam, recently stated that incidents of Christian persecution had seen a notable decline.

He highlighted improvements such as a reduction in discrimination against Christians in land acquisition for church buildings and fewer cases of forced conversions and marriages of young Christian girls.

The government has reiterated its commitment to fostering religious tolerance, urging international bodies to consider current realities rather than relying on outdated reports.

Similarly, a statement issued to LEADERSHIP Weekend by the acting spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa,

expressed concern over the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports regarding the supposed targeted killing of Christians in Nigeria.

“The unfortunate development is intended to influence foreign governments, especially the United States Government to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to the violence against Christians.

“While the federal government acknowledges the security challenges confronting the nation, it is imperative to clarify that these negative activities are not driven by religious bias, nor targeted against any particular religious group. It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion.

“Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading.

“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender. The security issues in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted and manifest as criminality, terrorism and communal clashes – including farmer/herder confrontation, that do not have any religious connotation.

“The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken significant steps to address these security concerns, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering and community engagement initiatives. Indeed, the military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents.

“To bring an end to such security challenges, both the federal and state authorities have embarked on kinetic and non-kinetic methods and expedited the implementation of the national livestock plan.

“To this end, a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established while a special adviser and coordinator of livestock reforms has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to end contestations over land, between farmers and pastoral herders.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, urges the international community to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions or making statements that could exacerbate tensions within Nigeria. We call on all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.

“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage. We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in addressing our security challenges. However, we strongly reject any attempts to wrongly designate the country, distort the narrative, or sow seeds of discord among our people,” the statement said.