Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has criticised both the Federal Government and the National Assembly for failing to act swiftly to counter what he described as a growing “misconception” about religious persecution in Nigeria before the United States reclassified the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
The reclassification followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration on his Truth Social page on Friday, alleging that Christianity was facing “an existential threat” in Nigeria. The U.S. law defines CPC nations as those that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom—a status that could attract sanctions, military restrictions, and travel bans for implicated officials.
In a statement released on Saturday, Ndume, who represents Borno Central Senatorial District, expressed disappointment that the Tinubu administration and the National Assembly ignored earlier warnings and failed to engage the U.S. diplomatically to prevent the re-designation.
“I raised the alarm earlier and even moved a motion in the Senate,” Ndume said. “This issue is not about what the United States can do to us but about the ripple effects of being wrongly tagged. We must engage Washington with facts and ensure they hear Nigeria’s side of the story.”
Ndume stressed that both Christians and Muslims have suffered casualties in Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity, arguing that the violence is driven more by terrorism and poverty than by religion.
The lawmaker also urged the government to deploy experienced diplomats—such as former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Sulu Gambari, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed—to correct the global narrative and foster diplomatic dialogue.
“Before things get out of hand, Nigeria must engage the U.S. Embassy and international diplomats to ensure we are not misrepresented. If America knows the truth, it will stand by it,” he added.
Ndume’s comments came hours after President Bola Tinubu rejected the U.S. designation, describing it as an inaccurate portrayal of Nigeria’s religious landscape.
In a post on his official X handle, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and constitutional democracy, noting that his administration is open to working with the U.S. and other global partners to promote peace and security.
Nigeria was first placed on the CPC list in December 2020 during Trump’s administration but was removed in 2021 under President Joe Biden—a decision then criticised by U.S. conservatives.
While religious tensions have at times contributed to violence between Christians and Muslims, Nigerian authorities maintain that most security challenges stem from terrorism, banditry, and socio-economic issues rather than faith-based persecution.
