Senator Ndume urges swift diplomatic response to Trump’s claim of Christians persecution in Nigeria

Senator Ali Ndume has called for immediate action from the Federal Government and elder statesmen to engage with the United States following former President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, alleging that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” due to mass killings by “radical Islamists.”

This CPC classification, reserved for nations accused of severe religious freedom violations, could result in sanctions such as suspended military aid, trade restrictions, or visa bans for Nigerian officials.

In a personal statement from Abuja, Senator Ndume, who represents Borno Central, expressed concern over the Nigerian government and Senate’s previous complacency regarding warnings from US lawmakers.

He revealed he had already raised alarms and moved a motion on the Senate floor to address the issue.

“Nigeria is a sovereign state. It isn’t about what the United States can do to us, but about the misconception and ripple effects of this classification,” Ndume stated.

He urged the Tinubu administration to launch a diplomatic offensive, presenting verifiable data to counter the narrative of religious persecution.

“We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures,” he said. “The genocide isn’t against Christians but Nigerians generally. Muslims have been killed too.”

Ndume emphasized that insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP attack indiscriminately, and the nation’s crisis is rooted in terrorism, not religion.

He advised President Tinubu to enlist seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, and Babagana Kingibe to help present Nigeria’s case effectively.

The senator argued that a successful diplomatic effort could reframe Nigeria’s international image from a “country of particular concern” to a “country of special concern,” which could, in turn, unlock crucial international support, including arms and ammunition, to combat terrorism.

This recent development follows a formal motion Ndume previously sponsored, titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria.”

The motion, supported by other senators, sought to preempt such foreign designations by arguing that misrepresenting Nigeria’s insecurity as religious persecution risks inflaming sectarian tensions.

The motion urged government ministries to adopt a data-driven strategy to counter misleading narratives, highlighting that terrorism victims belong to all faiths.

Consequently, the Senate has mandated its relevant committees to collaborate with the executive branch on a coordinated diplomatic response to correct international misconceptions.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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