(DDM) – Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has berated both the Federal Government and the National Assembly for their silence and inaction following the United States’ decision to reclassify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, expressed dismay on Saturday while addressing journalists in Maiduguri, stating that the reclassification was a direct consequence of Nigeria’s poor diplomatic communication and lack of proactive engagement with international stakeholders.
According to him, both the executive and legislative arms failed to act early to counter the “misconceptions” about religious persecution in Nigeria.
He said, “We saw this coming. There were reports and petitions long before the U.S. acted, but our government kept quiet. Now, Nigeria is being branded as a country where Christians are being persecuted, which is not true.”
Ndume argued that while Nigeria faces serious insecurity challenges, the violence is not based on religion but on broader issues like terrorism, banditry, and poverty.
He maintained that foreign powers were misrepresenting the facts due to the failure of Nigerian authorities to provide accurate information and evidence to the international community.
“The killings in our country affect both Muslims and Christians,” he added. “What is happening is not religious war but a breakdown of governance and security. Yet, because we don’t defend ourselves diplomatically, the world now sees us wrongly.”
Ndume called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently engage with the U.S. State Department to clarify Nigeria’s position, warning that such a classification could have far-reaching implications for international aid, foreign investment, and diplomatic relations.
He also urged the National Assembly to summon key officials responsible for international diplomacy and national security to explain what steps were taken to prevent Nigeria’s re-listing.
“This is not the first time America has done this,” he noted. “They removed Nigeria from the list before, and now they’ve brought us back. It shows that we are not doing enough to protect our image abroad.”
The senator further called on religious leaders to unite in condemning violence of all forms, warning that continued silence or division among Nigerians could fuel further misinterpretation by foreign observers.
Ndume’s remarks have sparked debate on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the effectiveness of the government’s foreign policy and its response to international reports.
As of press time, the Federal Government has yet to issue a formal reaction to the latest U.S. designation.
