United States (US) Senator Ted Cruz has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of focusing on lobbying efforts in Washington instead of addressing concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Cruz made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday, claiming that Nigerian government officials had responded to growing criticism by embarking on a public relations campaign rather than addressing issues surrounding religious violence in the country.
According to the Republican lawmaker, the Nigerian government has failed to adequately respond to concerns raised by the United States over attacks on Christians and other religious minorities.
The senator’s remarks come after he introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, 2025, a proposed legislation aimed at imposing sanctions on Nigerian government officials alleged to have facilitated the killing of Christians or supported the enforcement of blasphemy laws.
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Cruz argued that the proposed legislation seeks to hold accountable officials whom he accused of creating an environment that enables violence against Christians and other religious minorities.
According to him, Nigerian authorities have fostered conditions that allow attacks on Christians by enforcing blasphemy and Sharia laws while allegedly failing to take decisive action against jihadist groups responsible for violent attacks.
“The United States government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies; I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action,” Cruz said.
The senator further alleged that Nigerian officials believed they could continue with the current situation without facing consequences, accusing the government of relying on lobbying efforts in the United States instead of addressing the concerns raised by American lawmakers.
He also expressed support for President Donald Trump’s response to the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, saying he was encouraged by the administration’s stance on the issue.
Cruz’s comments add to ongoing international scrutiny over religious freedom and security challenges in Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups and communal violence have continued to generate concern among local and international stakeholders.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly maintained that insecurity in the country is criminal rather than religiously motivated, insisting that security agencies are working to address terrorism, banditry and other forms of violence across all parts of the country.
