The Nigerian Senate will on Tuesday debate a motion aimed at correcting what it describes as a “misconception” surrounding the alleged persecution of Christians in the country, insisting that the spate of violence across Nigeria is not religiously motivated.
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The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported Christian Genocide Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” is being sponsored by Senators Ali Ndume (APC, Borno), Sani Musa (APC, Niger), Magatakarda Wamakko (APC, Sokoto), and Ibrahim Bomai (APC, Yobe).
Sources familiar with the matter said the motion may have been triggered by a recent statement from American political commentator and television host, Bill Maher, who alleged in a widely circulated broadcast that terror groups were waging a genocidal war against Nigerian Christians.
According to the draft motion sighted in Abuja on Monday, the sponsors said they were seeking to address what they described as misinformation about the true nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.
While acknowledging that Christian communities in some parts of the country have suffered tragic and unacceptable attacks, the senators emphasized that violence has affected Nigerians of all faiths.
They argued that viewing the crisis purely through a religious lens could inflame sectarian tensions, misguide international policy, and undermine national unity.
The motion partly 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,’ 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.”
The senators noted that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks have claimed lives across religious and ethnic lines, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
They also pointed out that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, equal protection of the law, and the obligation of government to protect all citizens irrespective of faith or ethnicity.
Expressing concern over recent developments in the U.S. Congress, where lawmakers reportedly pushed to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” the sponsors warned that such a label could have diplomatic and reputational consequences.
The motion urges the Senate to:
- Reject the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s security crises as a “Christian genocide” and affirm that ongoing conflicts are driven by socio-economic, ethnic, criminal, and terrorist factors that cut across religious lines.
- Urge the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant security agencies, to intensify data-driven communication and provide accurate casualty figures to counter misinformation.
- Call on religious leaders, civil society groups, and the media to exercise restraint in their public statements and avoid language that could heighten sectarian tension.
- Encourage foreign missions and international media to rely on verified and balanced information from credible sources, including Nigerian security agencies and independent observers.
- Mandate the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, National Security, and Intelligence to work with the Executive in developing a coordinated communication strategy and engage U.S. lawmakers and other international partners to clarify misconceptions.
The motion further advocates for strengthened interfaith peacebuilding initiatives that promote national unity and shared understanding among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
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