The Nigerian Senate on Thursday firmly rejected allegations of a “Christian genocide” in the country, labeling statements by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher as “false, divisive, and dangerous to national unity.”
During a heated debate on a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” lawmakers resolved to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to strengthen counter-terrorism strategies and counter what they described as damaging misinformation spreading abroad.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), and others.
Seconding the motion, Senator Wamakko condemned the genocide narrative as “outright misinformation aimed at destroying our nation,” urging immediate action to halt its spread.
Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South) warned that such baseless claims could harm Nigeria’s international standing and inflame sectarian tensions. He emphasized that both Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria—including members of the Christian Association of Nigeria—are actively involved in state security structures.
“If the U.S. Congress passes a bill based on this misinformation, it will be dangerous for all Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike,” Kawu said. “We must urgently engage the U.S. government to correct this distorted narrative.”
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) called for a comprehensive national reassessment of terrorism and security policy, urging the Senate to convene executive sessions to “redefine our counter-terrorism framework” and better understand terrorist tactics.
The controversy erupted after Senator Ted Cruz, appearing on Bill Maher’s podcast alongside commentator Van Jones, claimed Christians in Nigeria are being “systematically targeted and killed” in what he described as genocide. The Nigerian Federal Government swiftly dismissed these assertions, reiterating that the country’s security challenges stem from terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence—not religious persecution.
Thursday’s Senate resolution marks a unified stance to confront external mischaracterizations while bolstering domestic security coordination. Further debate on the motion has been adjourned until next Tuesday.
