Senate dismisses Christian genocide claim by Ted Cruz and Bill Maher, calling it false and divisive, pledges stronger counter-terrorism and diplomacy

Senate dismisses Christian genocide claim The Nigerian Senate has strongly rejected allegations of a “Christian genocide” in the country, describing recent comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher as false, divisive, and capable of threatening national unity.

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During Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers debated a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities.”

The motion was sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa, Magatakarda Wamakko, Ibrahim Bomai, Ahmed Wadada, and others.

Senators argued that the claim of a religious genocide in Nigeria is a dangerous piece of misinformation being promoted abroad and vowed to engage the Federal Government on more effective counter-terrorism and diplomatic strategies.

Seconding the motion, Senator Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North) dismissed the genocide narrative as “outright misinformation aimed to destroy our nation,” adding that Nigeria must not allow such divisive rhetoric to gain ground internationally.

“This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue,” Wamakko declared.

Similarly, Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South) expressed concern that the claims could strain Nigeria’s international relations and heighten sectarian tensions.

“It is very common knowledge that nobody supports any act of terrorism in Nigeria,” Kawu said. “If they pass that bill in the U.S., it will be dangerous to both Christians and Muslims here. The Senate must work with the executive to properly brief the U.S. Congress and correct their position.”

In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) urged a broader reflection on terrorism and security, calling for a review of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism framework.

“We must come to terms with the strategies and practices of terrorists. It’s time to redefine our national counter-terrorism measures,” he stated.

The controversy emerged after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, in a podcast with Bill Maher, claimed that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” in Nigeria describing the situation as genocide.

Maher and commentator Van Jones echoed similar claims, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities.

However, the Federal Government swiftly rejected the allegations, clarifying that the nation’s security challenges are rooted in terrorism, banditry, and criminality, not religious persecution.

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The Senate’s resolution signals a coordinated national response to what lawmakers called a distorted narrative, pledging stronger engagement with the international community to restore an accurate understanding of Nigeria’s security realities.