On Tuesday, the Senate established a 12-member ad-hoc committee to advise the legislature on how to respond to rising international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The decision emerged during a closed-door session, where lawmakers discussed recent claims by the United States Government suggesting potential acts of genocide targeting Christians in certain regions.
The move comes amid growing diplomatic scrutiny and the possible impact of these allegations on Nigeria’s international reputation and interfaith relations.
Committee members include Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
The committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive position paper for submission to both the Executive and the Senate. The document is expected to shape Nigeria’s legislative stance and guide its participation in ongoing international discussions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the position paper must rely on verifiable facts and statistics.
Earlier, the upper chamber resolved to engage the United States Congress to challenge what it called misleading narratives portraying Nigeria’s security issues as a Christian genocide.
The motion, raised by Senator Ali Ndume, sparked a wider debate among lawmakers over international perceptions of Nigeria’s internal security challenges. Lawmakers expressed concern that such narratives, though often well-intentioned, misinform international partners and harm Nigeria’s global image and economy.
Akpabio proposed forming an ad-hoc committee to visit the United States and engage directly with American lawmakers to clarify the situation. He recommended private, closed-door discussions with a small delegation.
“There are misconceptions that need correction. We face a complex terrorist threat, and our counterparts in the US must understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims,” he said.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim emphasised that Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategies must be guided by knowledge-based approaches.