The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC-USA) has urged the leadership of the US Congress to exercise caution in reacting to recent claims of a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In a letter dated November 5, 2025, and addressed to key congressional leaders including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson; Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer; House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries; and Senate Minority Leader, John Thune, the ruling party’s diaspora wing called for diplomacy rather than military involvement in Nigeria’s internal security affairs.
The correspondence followed a statement credited to US President Donald Trump, in which he allegedly threatened to deploy American troops to Nigeria if attacks against Christians were not halted.
The APC-USA, however, described the reports of religious genocide as “distorted narratives” driven by misinformation and domestic political interests ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
In the letter signed by its chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, the group acknowledged America’s long-standing commitment to protecting global religious freedom but warned that recent assessments of Nigeria’s security situation could have been shaped by partisan propaganda.
Balofin stated that while violent clashes have indeed resulted in tragic loss of lives, they are predominantly outcomes of historical farmer-herder disputes and competition over land and natural resources in the Middle Belt region, not targeted attacks against any faith group.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown impartial and decisive leadership in addressing insecurity,” the letter read. “Following the June 2025 massacre in Benue State, where over 200 predominantly Christian lives were lost, he personally visited the affected communities, ordered the arrest of the culprits, and ensured their prosecution under terrorism and murder laws.”
The APC-USA appealed to the US Congress to seek a balanced understanding of Nigeria’s complex security challenges through diplomatic engagement and credible intelligence, rather than relying on sensationalised media reports or politically motivated claims.
It further reaffirmed the party’s confidence in the Tinubu administration’s ongoing efforts to restore peace, strengthen national unity, and safeguard the rights of all Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
