A coalition of Christian organisations under the umbrella of the Christian Youth Alliance of Nigeria (CYAN) has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, the US Congress and other American officials, urging sustained international attention to what it described as worsening insecurity affecting Christians in Nigeria.
The petition, which was also addressed to the US Secretary of State, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as diplomatic missions accredited to Nigeria, argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2027 general election poses a serious threat to Christians, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
The group, which said it comprises Christian organisations and human rights advocates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, made the petition available to journalists in Jos, Plateau State.
In the document, CYAN welcomed the United States’ decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom, saying the move had drawn greater international attention to attacks on Christian communities.
However, the coalition argued that the designation had not significantly improved the security situation, alleging that attacks on Christian communities were continuing.
The group claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 election could further deepen religious divisions and weaken Christians’ confidence in the country’s political system.
According to the petition, the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC in the 2023 election departed from Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of balancing the country’s top political offices along religious lines.
CYAN alleged that the arrangement had contributed to the exclusion of Christians from key positions in government and emboldened armed groups operating in parts of the country. These claims reflect the coalition’s position and have not been independently verified.
The coalition also criticised the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating and reintegrating former insurgents, arguing that victims of violence, including internally displaced persons, deserved greater support.
In addition, the group raised concerns over Nigeria’s engagement of international lobbying firms in the United States following its redesignation as a CPC.
It referenced reports that a Washington-based public affairs firm was retained to communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities, urging US lawmakers to rely on independently verified assessments rather than lobbying efforts when evaluating the country’s human rights record.
CYAN called on the United States to maintain Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern status until measurable improvements in the protection of Christian communities are recorded.
The petition was signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Zariyi Yusuf Madaki; Secretary, Nasiru Jagaba; and several other members, including Luka Binniyat, Steven Kefas, Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Apostle Michael Olowookere and Emmanuel Zopmal.
The Federal Government and the APC had not responded to the allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report.
