By Kingston Magare 9.10.2025
Members of the Nigerian Senate Thursday argued that their US counterparts have a misconception of the security situation in Nigeria in their passage of a bill to protect Christians from persecution in some parts of the country.
US Senator representing Texas Central Ted Cruz championed a bill, “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” meant to protect Christians from an alleged genocide and persecution.
But during Thursday’s session Senators Ali Ndume Borno South, Sani Musa Niger East, Magatakarda Wamakko Sokoto North, Ibrahim Bomai Yobe South and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada Nasarawa West, submitted that Senator Cruz and his colleagues in the US Senate have little understanding of the issues on ground.
The bill if passed into law by the US government aims to protect Christians and other religious minorities from being persecuted in Nigeria.
It also aims to hold accountable, all Nigerian officials who facilitate Islamist jihadist violence and the imposition of blasphemy laws by declaring visa bans on the leaders, among others.
However, reacting to this, the Senate in a motion raised by Ali Ndume (Borno South) Sumaila Kawu Kano South, Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), the motion also said that there is a need to correct the misconception surrounding the genocide claim.
Wamakko said, “This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue.”
Senator Kawu warned that allowing “unfounded allegations” like this to fester could sectarian tension.
“If they pass the bill in the US, it will be dangerous to us, both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. I am seriously worried that the US Congress or a ranking US senator will come up with a very uninformed position.
“As a parliament, we must join hands with our government to inform the US government and the US parliament that the position they are taking is not in tandem with what is going on,”
Following arguments by the various lawmakers, the leadership of the Senate adjourned further deliberation on the matter to Tuesday, October 14.
Ted Cruz and Ali Ndume