US Lawmakers have applauded Trump for labeling Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over Christian Persecution.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that at least 31 members of the United States Congress have commended President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing alleged persecution and killings of Christians across the country.
The lawmakers, in a joint statement released on Tuesday by Rep. Robert Aderholt, Chairman of the House Values Action Team, described Trump’s move as a “necessary step” to confront what they termed “a growing Christian genocide” in Nigeria. The statement was obtained by reporters on Thursday.
“President Trump’s commitment to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria and his designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern gives hope to the people of Nigeria. This persecution of Christians must end,” Aderholt stated.
He added that terrorist groups in Nigeria have “killed thousands of believers annually,” insisting that the United States must “lead in confronting this violence and defend people of faith around the world.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer praised Trump’s stance, saying:
“God bless President Trump for standing up and protecting Christians around the globe. The United States finally has a leader unafraid to do what’s right.”
Republican National Committee Chair Lisa McClain described the situation in Nigeria as “a moral outrage and a crime against humanity,” while Reps. Josh Brecheen, Mary Miller, and Mark Alford expressed support for sanctions and tougher international pressure on those responsible for religious violence.
Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, noted that Trump’s decision restored the 2020 CPC designation that was “unjustifiably lifted by the Biden administration.”
“This action is a powerful step forward in holding the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in the unchecked murder, rape, and torture of Christians,” Smith said.
Other lawmakers, including Don Bacon, Andy Biggs, Gus Bilirakis, and Tim Walberg, urged Washington to use “every diplomatic and strategic tool” to safeguard Nigerian Christians and ensure justice for victims of extremist violence.
Trump had earlier announced Nigeria’s redesignation on his Truth Social platform, warning that Christianity faces an existential threat in the country.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” Trump said, pledging to protect “our great Christian population around the world.”
Rep. Riley Moore, one of the lawmakers who initially pushed for the motion in Congress, hailed Trump’s move as a reflection of “strong leadership and moral clarity.”
“We can no longer turn a blind eye to the bloodshed of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This persecution will end thanks to President Trump,” Moore said.
The bipartisan show of support marks a growing congressional focus on religious violence in Nigeria, even as the Federal Government continues to dismiss the allegations.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, rejected the U.S. designation, describing it as a product of “misrepresentation and misinformation” about Nigeria’s security landscape.
“Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution,” Idris said, adding that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist violence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, saying the country remains a constitutional democracy that guarantees liberty to all faiths.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Religious tolerance has always been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall remain so,” Tinubu said in a November 1 statement.