Senate Constitutes Ad-hoc Committee to Draft Position Paper on Alleged Christian Genocide Claims

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate on Tuesday set up a 12-member ad-hoc committee to advise it on how to respond to increasing international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The decision followed a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States Government suggesting possible acts of genocide targeting Christians in parts of the country.

The Senate’s action comes amid mounting diplomatic scrutiny and the potential impact of such allegations on Nigeria’s international reputation and interfaith relations.

Members of the committee include Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong.

The committee was tasked with developing a comprehensive position paper for submission to both the Executive and the Senate. The document is expected to define Nigeria’s legislative position and guide its participation in ongoing international discussions on the issue.

Announcing the committee, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that the position paper must be supported by verifiable facts and credible data.

Earlier, the upper chamber had resolved to engage with the United States Congress to address and counter what it described as misleading narratives portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as acts of Christian genocide.

The move followed a motion by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) last week, which sparked a broader debate among lawmakers about the international perception of Nigeria’s internal security situation.

During the debate, senators voiced concern that such narratives, though often rooted in genuine concern, have misinformed international partners and tarnished Nigeria’s global image and economy.

Akpabio proposed the formation of an ad-hoc committee to visit the United States and engage directly with American lawmakers to clarify the realities on the ground.

He also underscored the need for private consultations, suggesting a closed-door approach and a smaller delegation for the engagement.

“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected. We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it is important that our counterparts in the US understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims,” Akpabio stated.