Following U.S. allegations of religious persecution, former Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently engage Washington after Nigeria was labeled a “country of particular concern”.
In a Truth Social post later shared on the White House X handle, Trump claimed that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Nigeria and accused “radical Islamists” of killing thousands of Christians. He instructed lawmakers, including Riley Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, to investigate the situation and report back.
In reaction, Ndume, representing Borno South, criticised the Federal Government and the Senate for not acting promptly on earlier warnings from U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, which he said allowed misconceptions about Nigeria’s security and religious situation to spread internationally.
“I have alerted the government. I even moved a motion. Nigeria is a sovereign nation, this is not about what America can do to us, but about correcting misconceptions and the ripple effects of such a label,” Ndume said in Abuja on Saturday.
He stressed that terrorism in Nigeria affects all citizens regardless of religion, urging the government to present credible data to Washington.
“Muslims have also been victims. This is not genocide against Christians; it is a national security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he added.
Ndume recommended that seasoned diplomats, including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and Amina Mohammed, be involved in any U.S. engagement.
He further suggested that Nigeria seek reclassification as a “country of special concern,” which could facilitate U.S. support and access to arms for counterterrorism efforts.
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