By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday set up a 12-member ad-hoc committee to craft a strategic response to growing international concerns—particularly from the United States—over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in the country.
The move comes in the wake of escalating diplomatic scrutiny following recent claims by the U.S. government, which suggested that Nigeria may be witnessing acts resembling genocide against Christian communities in some regions.
The Senate’s decision was taken during a closed-door session, where lawmakers deliberated on the potential political, diplomatic, and economic implications of such allegations on Nigeria’s global standing.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the formation of the committee, emphasized the need for a fact-based, data-driven position paper that would inform Nigeria’s official stance and serve as a tool for future international engagements. The document is expected to be presented to both the Executive and the Senate.
The bipartisan panel includes Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, and Titus Zam. Also appointed were Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
According to Akpabio, the committee could also undertake a diplomatic mission to the United States to directly engage with members of Congress and correct what lawmakers described as “misleading narratives” surrounding Nigeria’s security challenges.
“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected,” Akpabio stated. “We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the U.S. understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.”
The Senate’s action follows a motion last week by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), which ignited a broader debate over how Nigeria is perceived abroad, especially in light of persistent reports of religiously motivated violence.
During the debate, senators warned that while international concern is valid, the portrayal of Nigeria’s internal conflict as a one-sided religious war is both inaccurate and damaging to the country’s reputation and economic interests.
The upper chamber also resolved to begin formal engagements with the U.S. Congress to present Nigeria’s side of the story and promote a more nuanced understanding of the security crisis.
As the committee begins its work, the Senate has called for discretion, hinting that any diplomatic efforts will be handled by a small, high-level delegation in private meetings with American officials.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to shape the next phase of Nigeria’s diplomatic defense, as the country seeks to navigate a sensitive intersection of faith, security, and foreign relations.
