By Onilede Titi Faith
The Senate has dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria made by US Senator Ted Cruz and TV host Bill Maher, describing them as false and dangerous to national unity.
At Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers debated a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions on the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria.”
Senator Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), condemned the claims as “outright misinformation aimed at destroying our nation,” while Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South), warned they could inflame religious tensions and strain diplomatic relations.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), urged a review of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism framework, stressing the need for strategic and intelligence-driven responses.
The controversy followed Cruz’s podcast remarks alleging systematic killings of Christians in Nigeria, a view echoed by Bill Maher and Van Jones.
The Federal Government has since refuted the claims, insisting the country’s security challenges stem from terrorism and banditry, not religious persecution.
The Senate resolved to collaborate with the executive arm to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and correct what it termed a “distorted foreign narrative.”
