The Nigerian Senate will debate a motion rejecting the “Christian genocide” narrative, urging accurate reporting and international engagement to prevent sectarian tensions.
The Nigerian Senate is preparing to debate a motion challenging what it describes as “dangerous misrepresentations” of the country’s security crisis as a campaign of “Christian genocide.”
Sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by several others, the motion warns that such narratives risk inflaming sectarian divisions and distorting global perceptions. “While Christian communities have suffered unacceptable attacks, violence has also affected Muslims and adherents of other religions,” Ndume said.
The Senate rejected the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s conflict as religiously motivated, insisting that terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and insurgency have impacted all citizens.
Lawmakers urged the Federal Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to adopt data-driven public communication, engage with U.S. Congress, and correct international misperceptions.
The motion comes amid U.S. concerns and recent remarks by comedian Bill Maher, who accused Western media of ignoring what he called a “genocide against Christians.” The Nigerian government has since dismissed such claims as “false and divisive.”
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