US Congress Resolution Targeting Sanctions on Nigeria Seen as Unjustified
The U.S. Congress has advised President Donald Trump to implement strict sanctions against Nigeria due to allegations of the persecution of Christians in the country.
This came after the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa passed a resolution following a congressional hearing held on Wednesday, March 12.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the Committee Chair, Representative Chris Smith, emphasized statements made by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, located in Nigeria.
As he stated, Anagbe's statement was both 'convincing and alarming.' It was reported that Anagbe alleged 'armed Fulani herders' were responsible for thefts, killings, and abductions among the community members.
The panel similarly referenced a 2024 study from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, indicating that Nigerians make up 90 percent of all Christian fatalities globally annually.
The report indicates that at least 55,910 individuals lost their lives and an additional 21,000 were kidnapped by terrorist organizations active in the area from October 2019 through September 2023.
Smith attributed the removal of Nigeria from the CPC list to the preceding Biden administration, noting that this designation had initially been made during President Trump’s first term.
As part of their response, the federal government refuted these allegations. In an official statement, Daniel Bwala, who serves as the Special Adviser for Policy Communication to the President, highlighted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, his administration fosters interfaith harmony and has seen minimal instances—or none at all—of Christian persecution following their assumption of power on May 29, 2023.
Bwala not only dismissed the assertion but also cast doubt on the context and precision of the report provided by the U.S. congressional committee.
"While we do not acknowledge or verify the report from the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee in any manner, it is worth noting that their document lacks proper context and chronological details," he stated.
In response to these accusations, the Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria (SCSN) along with the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) criticized Bishop Anagbe for disseminating false information internationally about supposed Islamic extremism and the killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In individual statements issued by Dr. Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, the Secretary-General of SCSN, and Disu Kamor, the Executive Chairman of MPAC, both organizations urged the federal government to look into and bring charges against the bishop for instigating unrest within the nation.
The SCSN representative stated that the address given by the Catholic priest to the U.S. Congress, where he promoted hate speech and outright lies, is not just a source of shame for the Nigerian administration but also causes significant worry among the country’s lawful citizens, irrespective of their religion—whether Muslim or Christian.
Dr. Baba-Ahmad stated that the bishop's assertion that 'only 2% of Fulani (Islamic extremists) have seized territories held by 98% Christians' is incorrect.
In a similar vein, Kamor stated that Bishop Anagbe's statement includes numerous unverified accusations and perilous assertions.
At Daily Trust, we feel that the resolution passed by the U.S. Congress constitutes a significant act of unfairness towards Nigeria and its people. It is bewildering that such a choice was made following only one-sided testimony. Given that the United States maintains an embassy in Nigeria, this institution ought to serve as the proper conduit for gathering accurate details about the matter instead of basing decisions on unverified claims from individuals who primarily aim to foster discontent.
Certainly, this decision can lead to discord amongst Nigerians since it marginalizes part of the population. For Nigeria, what matters most would be for countries like the United States to comprehend the present security issues within the nation. This comprehension should involve insights from Nigeria’s partners aiming towards resolving these concerns. It is worth remembering that successive U.S. governments have promised support in addressing these security difficulties over time.
Hence, we firmly encouraged President Donald Trump to disregard the resolution and persist in offering support to Nigeria for addressing the various security issues plaguing the nation.
We were equally astonished that the federal government failed to implement preemptive strategies to safeguard national interests in this situation. It is unfortunate that our response was merely reactive, coming only after a decision had already been made.
Our diplomats must remain vigilant about their duties to guarantee that Nigeria's interests are never compromised, regardless of the situation.
This isn’t the first instance of Nigeria facing such unwarranted and unfair scrutiny, and we mustn’t let it persist. Now is the moment for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action and prevent it from occurring again.
It is just as unfortunate that a respected member of the clergy would take it upon himself to tarnish his nation’s reputation by distorting the truth completely. He should be compelled to clarify his intentions to the relevant authorities.
Additionally, although we prefer not to delve into specifics, we firmly hold the belief that facts are inviolable! It is clear that ever since the Boko Haram insurgency spiraled out of control in 2010, followed by widespread banditry and farmer-herder clashes in the Northwest and North Central regions, countless lives from all communities have tragically been lost.
As Nigerians, we should unite as one powerful entity to free our nation from the grip of security threats instigated by selfish motives. No lasting answers will come from external sources.
In conclusion, we should not permit anyone or any group, regardless of how they present themselves, to undermine Nigeria's reputation for their selfish purposes.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).