The Nigerian Senate has rejected claims of an ongoing “Christian genocide” in the country, describing the allegations by United States Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher as false, divisive, and harmful to national unity.
During plenary on Thursday, lawmakers discussed a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities.” The motion was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of Borno South and supported by Senators Sani Musa, Magatakarda Wamakko, Ibrahim Bomai, and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, among others.
The Senate resolved to partner with the Federal Government to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and enhance national security. Lawmakers said the allegations spread by foreign media figures could worsen Nigeria’s image abroad and create unnecessary religious tension.
While seconding the motion, Senator Magatakarda Wamakko from Sokoto North dismissed the “genocide” narrative as deliberate misinformation. “This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue,” Wamakko said.
Senator Sumaila Kawu of Kano South also cautioned that the unfounded reports could strain Nigeria’s foreign relations and increase internal division. According to him, “It is very common knowledge to us that nobody is supporting any act of terrorism in Nigeria. The government is doing its best to make sure we are living in a conducive atmosphere. Some of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in my state are members of the security council and traditional institutions.”
Kawu further warned that if the United States Congress adopted such claims, it could endanger both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. He said, “I am seriously worried that the US Congress or a ranking US senator will come up with a very uninformed position. As a parliament, we must join hands with our government to inform the US government and the US parliament that the position they are taking is not in tandem with what is going on.”
In his remarks, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo South emphasized the need for a deeper national approach to tackle terrorism. He urged the Senate to help refine the country’s counter-terrorism policies. “We must come to terms to understand the strategies, tactics, and practices of the terrorists. We must now engage the government on counter-terrorism measures,” he said.
The controversy followed comments made by US Senator Ted Cruz during a podcast with television host Bill Maher, where he alleged that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” in Nigeria, calling it a form of genocide. Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed similar claims, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities.
However, the Federal Government quickly dismissed these statements, maintaining that Nigeria’s security challenges are rooted in terrorism, banditry, and criminality — not religious persecution.
The Senate’s resolution on Thursday marks an effort to coordinate with the executive arm to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and diplomatic outreach to correct what lawmakers called a “distorted foreign narrative” about Nigeria.
Further debate on the motion has been scheduled for next Tuesday.