Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed claims from the U.S. Congress about Christian persecution in Nigeria. He stated that since May 29, 2023, the administration promotes religious tolerance and recorded few incidents of persecution. The Tinubu government counters U.S. congressional allegations by attributing violence to terrorism and inter-communal conflicts.
The Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has rejected the assertions made by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. In a statement released on Friday, Bwala highlighted that the current administration fosters religious tolerance with minimal incidents of persecution since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu took office.
Bwala said on X (formerly Twitter), “The administration of President Bola Tinubu promotes religious tolerance. Since May 29, 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, there have been little or no cases at all of persecution of Christians anywhere in the country.” He went on to question the context and accuracy of the U.S. congressional committee’s report, indicating a lack of adequate context in their findings.
He mentioned, “While we are in no way admitting or authenticating the report of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, it is noteworthy to state that the committee’s report falls short of context and timelines.” Bwala reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting peace and religious tolerance.
In response to these allegations, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved recommendations for sanctions against Nigeria due to the purported widespread killings of Christians. This decision emerged from a congressional hearing where lawmakers criticized the Nigerian government for its inability to protect Christian communities amidst escalating violence.
During the hearing, Committee Chairman Chris Smith referred to a 2024 report from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which indicated that Nigeria accounted for 90% of the global Christian fatalities annually. This report covered the time between October 2019 and September 2023, revealing that approximately 55,910 individuals were killed and 21,000 abducted by terrorist factions in Nigeria.
The committee also acknowledged testimonies from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, who recounted firsthand experiences of violence against Christian communities. Bwala’s remarks address the Nigerian government’s stance on these allegations, emphasizing a narrative that disputes the claims of religious persecution by attributing the violence to terrorism, banditry, and inter-communal conflicts, rather than targeting specific religious groups.
The Tinubu administration continues to advocate for improvements in national security and inter-religious harmony, underscoring its dedication to ensuring the safety and coexistence of diverse religious groups within Nigeria.
The Nigerian government’s rejection of claims regarding Christian persecution underscores its stance on promoting religious tolerance and national security. Despite U.S. congressional allegations, the Tinubu administration emphasizes that violence in Nigeria stems from terrorism and conflicts, not religious motives. With ongoing efforts to ensure religious harmony, the administration maintains that conditions for Christians have not deteriorated since taking office.
Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com
