President B.A Tinubu Administration Faults Christian Leaders Who Testified Before US Congress On ‘Religious Persecution’ In Nigeria
The clergymen had spoken during a hearing on religious persecution in Nigeria, painting a dire picture of Christian communities allegedly facing unchecked violence....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE | READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE...
The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has criticised a social media post by the United States Embassy in Abuja and testimonies by two Nigerian religious leaders before a U.S. Congressional hearing, describing them as “inaccurate” and “misrepresentative” of the country’s security efforts and religious freedom landscape.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government expressed “serious concerns” over the Embassy’s publication and testimonies provided by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula.
The clergymen had spoken during a hearing on religious persecution in Nigeria, painting a dire picture of Christian communities allegedly facing unchecked violence.
The statement read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs observes with concern a recent social media publication by the United States Embassy, Abuja, regarding the security situation in Nigeria and the testimonies provided by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, on the unfortunate alleged threats that have arisen as a result of their testimonies at the U.S. Congressional Hearing on Religious Persecution in Nigeria.”
While affirming the constitutional right of the religious leaders to express their views, the Ministry emphasised that their testimonies amounted to a misrepresentation of the complex realities of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“Though their testimonies misrepresent facts and oversimplify a deeply complex national challenge, the religious leaders are entitled to their opinions, freedom of expression, and association as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution,” the Ministry stated.
The government also pushed back against claims that it had allowed religious violence to escalate unchecked, calling such accusations “both inaccurate and unfair.”
According to the Ministry, “The government has consistently taken decisive actions, including deploying security forces to areas affected by communal violence, engaging in peace-building efforts between farmers and herders, strengthening intelligence operations to track down criminal elements, and implementing policies to address root causes, including land use reforms and economic development initiatives.”
“It is important to state that, while challenges remain, it is incorrect to suggest that the Nigerian government has been inactive or indifferent,” the statement continued.
“The reality is that Nigeria is fighting multiple security threats, including banditry, terrorism, and organised crime, all of which affect different communities irrespective of religion.”
In a firm rebuttal of any suggestion of religious bias or persecution, the government rejected the narrative presented during the U.S. Congressional hearing, particularly the characterisation of the violence as an “Islamist extermination” of Christians.
“The government will continue to prioritise the protection of the lives and property of its citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity while strengthening national and international cooperation in the fight against insecurity,” the Ministry said.
“We therefore call for responsible reporting that reflects the full complexity of the challenges at hand and promotes constructive dialogue rather than polarisation.”