PDP BoT Condemns Invasion of Party Secretariat, Insists Ibadan Convention Stays

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•SMBLF warns Nigeria drifting towards one-party state

•Police seal party secretariat amid escalating factional crisis

•Prof Kila wants INEC to mandate political parties to hire psychiatrists

•Crisis normal in politics, Says Oluyede

Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade, Linus Aleke in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Board of Trustees (BoT) the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the invasion of the partys national secretariat by some of the expelled members, to unleash violence on party members in an attempt to forcefully take over the complex.

This was contained in a press release by Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

According to the release, The BoT also condemns the action of the expelled elements who mobilised the thugs to attempt to prevent the elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the new National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN and accompanied by the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde and other party leaders from gaining access into the complex.

Tear gas was fired at the governors and party leaders while the thugs unbridled violence on the PDP National Secretariat.

The BoT noted with dismay the involvement of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, (also expelled from the party), who came to the scene with heavy security in apparent solidarity with the invaders.

The board, however, saluted the courage and resilience of the governors, NWC and BoT members, other party leaders, teeming members and supporters for resisting the invaders.

The release further stated that, The BoT stands firmly with the new NWC in full endorsement of the outcome of the Elective National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State on the 15th and 16th of November 2025.

The Convention was convened in strict compliance with the Partys Constitution, and Guidelines, the Electoral Act, all extant regulations, and it represents the collective will of delegates and stakeholders of the PDP across the country.

The BoT, therefore, denounced the statements, actions and media pronouncements by individuals who were expelled from the party.

Their attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ibadan Convention and create confusion within the party structure are not only mischievous but also constitute a direct assault on the principle of internal democracy in our country.

The BoT calls on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the wave of attacks on the PDP National Secretariat and ensure that those responsible are held to account. Democracy thrives only where institutions remain impartial, professional, and insulated from partisan manipulation.

As the conscience of the party, the BoT remains committed to safeguarding the unity and democratic values of the PDP and ensuring that the mandate freely given by party members at the Ibadan Convention is respected.

The Board therefore urges the new NWC not to be deterred but remain focused on rebuilding and repositioning our Party as we march to victory in the 2027 general elections, the release concluded.

PDP Crisis: SMBLF Warns Nigeria Drifting Towards One-Party State

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has issued a warning over what it described as the accelerating erosion of Nigerias democratic foundations, declaring that recent political developments suggested an orchestrated drift toward a de-facto one-party state.

The forum said the unfolding situation, if not halted, threatened to push the country into a political crisis unprecedented since the return to civil rule in 1999.

Rising from a high-level meeting held yesterday at PANDEFs liaison office in Abuja, the Forum said it was gravely alarmed by the behaviour of political elites, the conduct of security agencies, and what it termed the disturbing inertia of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under its new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

The meeting was chaired by the National Leader of Afenifere, HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and attended by top officials of the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

They included their presidents, Dr. Pogu Bitrus (represented) and Ambassador Godknows Igali. Also present were former governors, former senators, traditional rulers, and other regional leaders.

In the communique issued at the end of the session, SMBLF said it could no longer keep silent as the nations multi-party structure came under what it described as direct, coordinated and dangerous assault.

We condemn in the strongest terms the emerging tendency among the political class to railroad the country towards single-party control of key democratic structures at the federal and subnational levels.

This tendency is carried out through mass defections, intimidation, opportunistic alliances and political horse-trading devoid of any ideological basis.

Speaking further, Oba Olaitan warned that the pattern of defections sweeping across the political landscape was not just business as usual but part of a deeper crisis.

Democracy cannot survive where political pluralism is weakened or forcibly manipulated. This growing pattern of decamping without ideological basis is dangerous, unhealthy and must be checked immediately. We must call things by their names: what is unfolding is not politics but domination, he said.

Oluyede: PDP Crisis Normal in Politics

Governorship candidate of the PDP in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has downplayed the internal crisis rocking the party, insisting that disagreements were normal in political organisations and would not derail PDPs march toward victory in the 2026 governorship election.

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Oluyede said political parties across the world experienced moments of tension, adding that Ekitis issues remained local and manageable.

Parties always have issues. Anywhere in the world. Thats why they are called political parties. We will have problems and we will solve them.

We have leaders capable of doing that. Politics is local, and I am not running for a national office. I am running to be the governor of Ekiti State. All I need is Ekiti people behind me and thats what were going to get.

Oluyede expressed confidence in the PDPs preparedness for the forthcoming election, noting that the partys last primary election was one of the most peaceful in Ekitis history.

INEC Should Mandate Political Parties to Hire Psychiatrists, Suggests Prof Kila

Director at the Institute of the Commonwealth, jurist, political economist, strategist, and policy analyst, Prof. Anthony Kila, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to mandate political parties to have well-trained psychiatrists among them as part of ongoing electoral reforms.

According to him, what transpired at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday demonstrated the need for political parties to involve psychiatrists.

I understand this morning that a lot of psychiatrists are not where they ought to be. It might be a good idea that INEC should include a law to say that every party should have an in-house psychiatrist to deal with issues of the party as well, he said on Arise News The Morning Show.

According to him, What we saw there is a show of shame in terms of form and process. The content can be legitimate, but it underlines a flaw in the Nigerian partisan political elite class.

Normally, political parties are made up of people of like minds who are bound together by a common, shared purpose.

The fact that these people can deploy police officers, shout, shove, and resort to expelling and fighting one another shows you theyre not like minds.

Theyre not friends, theyre not peers. There are people there to grab power, and this, I must say, today, is the PDP. It could be anybody tomorrow. I see that most partisan, most political parties in Nigeria share these uncivilized, unbecoming, uninspiring traits, and I think we need to look at it as a system problem, not just as a PDP problem.

Police Seal PDP National Secretariat Amid Escalating Factional Crisis

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, yesterday, sealed the National Secretariat of the PDP at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, following renewed tensions between rival factions within the main opposition party.

The closure came less than 24 hours after a violent confrontation broke out at the secretariat between the Saminu Turaki-led faction and supporters aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The clash resulted in chaos within the premises, during which Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed were reportedly teargassed as security operatives struggled to restore order.

In an obvious move to prevent a breakdown of law and order the police used barbed wire to create barricade, to prevent people from accessing the premises.

The police were yet to issue an official statement regarding the sealing of the building or the next steps in managing the crisis.

The factions crisis rocking the PDP escalated on Wednesday when the warring factions scheduled meetings same day and venue at the plaza headquarters of the party.

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FG Places Nations Security on Red Alert

As Tinubu postpones trip to G20, AU-EU summits in SAfrica, Angola over insecurity

Awaits further briefings on kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls, attack on worshippers in Kwara

Directs military, police to deploy more men to Kwara

President deeply troubled, shares your anguish, Shettima tells students families in Christian enclave, LG chair releases names

Kwankwaso demands decisive action

Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan, Alex Enumah in Abuja, Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The federal government has put the countrys security apparatus on the highest level of alert in response to worsening insecurity and recent attacks in some parts of the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the red alert yesterday while briefing the media.

Idris conveyed President Bola Tinubus sympathies to families and communities affected by the recent acts of terrorism and criminality, while also reaffirming the presidents unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

The announcement came as Tinubu, yesterday, postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Luanda. He was billed to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and, thereafter, proceed to Angola to attend the 7th AU-EU Summit.

Tinubu awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

In response to the request by the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Tinubu, according to a statement by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. He also directed the police to go after the bandits, who attacked worshippers.

Conveying the presidents firm commitment to protecting life and property in the country, Idris stated, Let it be known that President Tinubu has put our nations security apparatuses on the highest alert ever, and has deployed to actively pursue and eliminate terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements wherever they may be in Nigeria.

Our security forces have also been mandated to swiftly rescue the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls and reunite them with their families.

He decried the killing of Brig-Gen Uba and the abduction of female students in Kebbi State, as well as the attack on a church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, as painful reminders of the threats confronting the nation.

Idris said such acts only strengthened the federal governments resolve to decisively defeat terrorism and banditry.

He disclosed that Tinubu had postponed his scheduled international engagements, including the G20 meeting in South Africa, to focus squarely on domestic security developments.

The minister added that the president had directed the military and the police to deploy additional personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, to ensure strong security coverage and rapid response.

He explained that Vice President Kashim Shettima was also in Birnin Kebbi, at the presidents instruction, to deliberate with Governor Mohammed Idris, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and families of the abducted schoolgirls.

The information minister assured Nigerians that the rescue of the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls remained an urgent national priority.

He added, President Tinubu has also directed all security agencies to actively pursue, neutralise, and dismantle terrorists and criminal networks across the country.

The minister refuted any sectarian interpretation to the countrys security challenges, while stressing that Nigerias security threats, from terrorism to banditry, had affected citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.

In this critical moment, national unity is our most powerful asset, he said, stressing, We must reject misinformation and division. Our common enemies are terrorists and criminals seeking to destabilise our country.

He reinforced Nigerias status as a multi-faith country where freedom of worship was constitutionally guaranteed.

Idris urged citizens to stand together in solidarity and support the efforts of the security agencies working tirelessly to secure the country. He said the government remained confident that the ongoing security operations would lead to the swift rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and the restoration of peace in affected communities.

Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja yesterday to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Angola.

But disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Mondays attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.

The president was said to be awaiting reports from the vice president, who was sent on a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding the attack in Kwara.

Tinubu reiterated his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the abducted schoolgirls and bring them back home safe.

Tinubu Deeply Troubled, Shares Your Anguish, Shettima Tells Students Families

Vice President Kashim Shettima told the families of the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and Vice Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, that Tinubu was deeply troubled by the tragic incidents.

Shettima vowed that the government would deploy all instruments of state to rescue the schoolchildren and ensure their abductors, and killers of the military officer, as well as the vice principal were made to face the full weight of justice.

Shettima, who spoke while in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, on the directive of Tinubu, described the abduction of the schoolgirls from the boarding school in Maga as an assault on the collective conscience of all Nigerians.

The president had Tuesday evening asked his deputy to visit the state to sympathise with the state government and assure the parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government would ensure their quick and safe return home.

Extending Tinubus sympathy to families of the abducted schoolgirls and the state government, Shettima said, Kebbis pain is Nigerias pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves. When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted.

Mr. President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics. This grief transcends party lines, geography, and identity.

This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely.

On behalf of Tinubu, Shettima assured the people that their tears, fears, and cries were a stain on Nigerias collective conscience, and the country shall not turn away from this responsibility.

He stated, This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice. Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace.

The vice president promised that the federal government would support families of the late Uba, the late vice principal, and others who were killed by the terror groups, while doing everything possible to rescue the abducted schoolgirls.

Shettima said, We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria.

Shettima applauded the governor of Kebbi State, community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, civil society partners, and all stakeholders for rallying together in the moment of distress.

Your cooperation, your vigilance, and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities, he said.

Shettima also commended the gallant officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and all paramilitary and intelligence agencies for their gallantry in the face of security challenges confronting the country.

He told them, Your courage, your tirelessness, and your sacrificesoften unseen and unsungremain the backbone of our nations security. You stand on the frontlines so that the rest of us may sleep with hope. The nation appreciates you.

The Kebbi State governor thanked Tinubu for the show of support, concern and immense leadership.

He said since the incidents happened, the president had been in touch with the state government. He said with the commitment and efforts of the government, he was optimistic that the kidnapped schoolgirls would soon be rescued.

The governor particularly thanked the vice president for the show of concern. He affirmed the states commitment and loyalty to the Tinubu administration, vowing continued partnership and cooperation with the federal government in ensuring the release of the girls.

Idris stated, We, in Kebbi, are most touched by the show of concern and deepened actions being taking to rescue our girls. I am optimistic that they will be rescued. It is a painful experience but we also will ensure that we put all in place to avert any of such future occurrence.

We thank Mr President, here ably represented by our very own vice president. We thank you for the concern, and the communications and actions behind the scene thus far. We deeply appreciate, Sir.

Present at the meeting were National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nantawe Yitwada; Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Tafida; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; his counterparts in Women Affairs, Hajiya Iman Suleiman Ibrahim; Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard Fori; and Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Tanko Yusuf.

Others included members of the National Assembly; members of the state House of Assembly; former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Dakingari; Senator Bala Ibn Na Allah; Director General of NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar; Secretary to Kebbi State Government, Yakubu Bala; members of the State Executive Council; senior government officials; as well as heads of military and para-military agencies.

Kebbi Govt Debunks Claims Attack Took Place in Christian Enclave

Kebbi State Government dismissed as “false and misleading” a claim by U.S. Representative, Riley Moore, that the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls occurred in a “Christian enclave.”

A statement, signed by Chief Press Secretary Ahmed Idris, stressed that Maga was a predominantly Muslim community and all the abducted students were Muslims. 

The government’s rebuttal came amid a flurry of international attention. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, had seized on the incident to highlight what they described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Moore’s post on X echoed the narrative, prompting a swift response from Nigerian authorities, who argued that the bandits responsible for the attack do not target based on religion 

According to the statement, security forces have intensified the hunt for the missing girls to ensure their safe rescue.

Kebbi State Government also reminded the public that banditry in the North‑west had disproportionately affected Muslim communities, citing recent attacks on mosques in neighbouring Katsina State.

“If these bandits were driven by religious motives, why then do they attack and kill Muslims while praying in mosques?” the statement said. 

Kebbi State Government urged lawmakers and the media to verify facts before making public statements that could distort facts or fuel misunderstanding.

LG Chair Releases Students Names

Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Hussaini Aliyu, also refuted allegations made by US lawmaker Riley Moore that the abduction of 25 schoolgirls occurred in a Christian community.

Aliyu stated that all the girls were Muslims and urged Moore to avoid making unverified statements that could inflame religious tensions.

Subsequently, the names of the schoolgirls and their classes were released to clear the air on their faith.

They were:

Senior Secondary School 2A

– Fatima Sani Zimri

– Hafsat Ibrahim

– Nana Firdausi Jibril

– Masauda Yakubu Romo

Senior Secondary School 2B

– Hauwa Saleh

– Hauwau Umar Imam

Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B

– Salima Garba Umar

– Salima Sani Zimri

– Amina G. Umar

– Rashida Muhammad Dingu

– Saliha Umar

– Aisha Usman

– Jamila Iliyasu

– Maryam Illiyasu

– Najaatu Abdullahi

– Zainab Kolo

Junior Secondary School 3A

– Surraya Tukur

– Hafsat Umar Yalmo

– Maryam Usman

– Amina Illiyasu

– Ikilima Suleman

Junior Secondary School 2

– Khadija Nazifi

– Hauwau Iliyasu

– Hauwau Lawali

– Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim

Kwankwaso Demands Decisive Action

Former Minister of Defence and leader of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, condemned the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, citing the killing of Uba and abduction of students in Kebbi State.

Writing on X, Kwankwaso said, The recent surge in insecurity in Nigeria has reached a level that demanded urgent attention from all authorities, especially the federal government.

He described the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State as deeply worrying, echoing a disturbing pattern from the recent past.

The abduction and subsequent killing of Brigadier Gen. M. Uba by terrorists in Borno State is one of the darkest moments in our nations fight against terrorism, he said.

Kwankwaso stated that the shocking intelligence and operational failure demanded an immediate and thorough investigation.

Furthermore, mass kidnappings have been reported in Zamfara State, which is truly heartbreaking. I urge the swift rescue of the victims, he said.

The former governor of Kano State also lamented the recent surge in bandit attacks across Shanono and Ghari local government areas in Kano State, demanding urgent concern and immediate action.

Kwankwaso stated, The federal government must fulfil its primary responsibility. These incidents are not isolated; they reveal serious setbacks in the battle against insecurity.

He called on the authorities to take decisive action by reinvigorating the armed forces and empowering the Nigeria Police to effectively protect and defend the people from all acts of terror.

Bandits Kill Former Councillor, Abduct Others in Sokoto Community

Bandits, midnight Tuesday, stormed the village of Kabunga in Kware Local Government Area of Sokoto State, firing indiscriminately and moving house‑to‑house.

The assault left at least two people dead, among them a former councillor, Alhaji Yahaya Bawa Rumus, and resulted in several residents being abducted.

Witnesses told reporters that the attackers arrived around midnight, creating panic as families woke to find loved ones missing.

The entire community is in shock. They killed our former councillor and one other person. Many people were taken. We dont even know the number yet, a resident said, describing the incident as another night of horror for a region long under siege 

As of Wednesday morning, security agencies had not issued any official statement, and no reinforcement arrived while the attack was ongoing.

Residents expressed frustration, stating that the government’s assurances of “being on top of the situation” has done little to stop the weekly killings and abductions.

Trial of Alleged Ansaru Terrorists Stalled

The trial of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was yesterday stalled, due to plea by the defendants lawyer for time to prepare the defence of his clients.

The defendants, who were captured by DSS between May and July were alleged to be masterminds of various acts of terrorism across the country.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had scheduled November 19 for commencement of trial. However, when the matter was called, Mr. B. I Bakum, who announced appearance for the two defendants, told the court that the charge and proof of evidence were still with the DSS where the defendants were being remanded on the orders of the court.

The lawyer prayed the court that the two defendants be moved to a correctional centre to enable easy access and ensure prompt and hitch-free trial.

Counsel to DSS, Mr. David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the request for transfer of the defendants to a correctional centre.

Kasawe urged the court to commence trial as scheduled, and added that prosecutions witnesses were already in court.

While he stated that protocol in DSS required the defendants lawyer to write to the agency seeking permission to see his clients and also copy him, the prosecution lawyer informed the court that the defence lawyer was yet to do so.

Responding, Nwite, in a brief ruling, granted the request for time to enable the defence lawyer prepare for the case and adjourned till January 15.

Meanwhile, the court ordered the defendants lawyer to always write the DSS for permission to visit his clients and copy the prosecutor.

Usman and Abubakar Abba are being prosecuted for terrorism by the DSS. However, while Usman pleaded guilty to Count 10 in the 32-count charge, Abubakar Abba pleaded not guilty to the entire 32-count charge bordering on terrorism.

As Tinubu postpones trip to G20, AU-EU summits in SAfrica, Angola over insecurity Awaits further briefings on kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls, attack on worshippers in Kwara Directs military, police

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US Congressman Confirms Meeting FGs Delegation over Alleged Christian Genocide

We stand by our position, says CAN

SGF: US genocidal claim encouraging extremist groups

Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Wale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A United States Congressman, Riley Moore, yesterday, confirmed meeting with a federal government delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, as part of diplomatic efforts to douse the mounting tension between both nations, over alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

Apart from the meeting with Moore, the Nigerian delegation, THISDAY gathered, has also been scheduled to meet with some White House officials, security chiefs and several other lawmakers on the matter.

A statement by Moore, seen by THISDAY, listed other members of the entourage from Nigeria to include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.

Others were the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye; Special Adviser, Office of the NSA, Ms. Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Nuru Biu; and the Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria, Paul Alabi;

Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore met with a delegation of senior members of the Nigerian government, led by Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser to the President of Nigeria, during the delegations visit to Washington, D.C.

The meeting allowed for a frank, honest, and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.

During the meeting, Nigerian officials shared their governments challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.

Congressman Moore clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, and that, as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution, the statement noted.

Stressing that Trump does not make idle threats, the statement noted that Moore would continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups posed to the Nigerian population

Moore said: Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria.

I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria. The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States.

President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.

Two nights ago, the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, had said only 177 Christians were killed, 102 churches attacked, 98 injured and seven abducted by terrorists in the last five years.

Tuggar, who made these claims in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, addressed allegations of attacks on Christians and destruction of churches in Nigeria.

While downplaying claims of genocide, he said the violence was caused by criminals rather than targeted persecution. In the interview with Morgan, he referenced Sudan as an example of what can happen when faith based agitation leads to country division.

He said: We have seen this sort of agitation by faith-based organisations that is a prelude to the breaking up of countries. We have seen it in Sudan and we know the playbook. There were agitations to create South Sudan which is predominantly a Christian country separate from North Sudan which is a Muslim country.

Now we have a situation where there is continuous fighting in South Sudan and another round is about to kick off the same thing in North Sudan. We dont want to be the next Sudan.

He rejected the accuracy of reported figures on Christian deaths and church attacks. The reported figures on the number of Christians killed and churches burned in Nigeria are completely and totally inaccurate and false.

Many in the media have examined them, fact checked them and they have been shown to be totally inaccurate, Tuggar said.

Later in the interview, Tuggar provided updated figures: The number of Christians killed in the last five years is 177 with 102 churches attacked, 98 injured and seven abducted. We are not hiding any facts.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has insisted on the position that there was Christian genocide in Nigeria, saying Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt had experienced repeated, coordinated, and in many cases, clearly targeted attacks.

The association appealed to the federal government and to the international community to act decisively and urgently to halt the senseless destruction of lives and displacement of indigenous people, particularly in Christian-dominated communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

CAN welcomed the recent interest shown by the international community over the killings of Christians and other Nigerians in various parts of the country, hoping the move would spur decisive governmental action to end the carnage, protect lives and bring lasting peace to the communities.

Speaking at at the opening ceremony of the fourth Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the association in Jos, CAN President, Daniel Okoh, said the body maintained its stand on the killings targeted at Christian population in some parts of the country, adding that it, would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired.

We are here as ambassadors of solidarity, compassion, and moral support. We are here to identify with our brothers and sisters across Plateau State and Northern Nigeria who have endured years of unspeakable tragedypersecution, displacement, devastation, and unrelenting insecurity.

It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired: lives brutally cut short, at communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered.

CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. As Scripture affirms: And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Okoh said he had earlier led a CAN delegation to Bokkos to meet with displaced brethren, to listen to their stories, to pray with them, and to support them with relief.

The scars we saw were deep; yet, the faith we encountered was stronger still. Today, as we gather once again on this sacred soil, we bring with us the prayers, the compassion, and the unwavering solidarity of the entire Nigerian Christian family.

We declare with one united voice: You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you. CAN has remained a principled, courageous, and consistent advocate for peace, justice, and national unity, he added.

But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, has warned that the pervasive pronouncements by the US administration and other interest groups in the country labelling the security situation in Nigeria as a genocide against Christians was emboldening violent groups seeking to exploit narratives to attack soft targets.

Akume asserted this yesterday while briefing the press on the raging insurgency, banditry, illegal mining and the position of the US that the killings in the country amounted to Christian genocide.

The SGF also warned that the inaccurate interpretations were creating diplomatic friction and undermining the Nigerian governments longstanding efforts to build constructive international partnerships.

He said across the country, Christians and Muslims had been victimised while no credible international organisation had ever classified killings as a genocide against Christians or any group.

Akume said Boko Haram and ISWAP attacked both churches and mosques, exterminating Muslims and Christians alike, while bandits were also targeting all communities without distinction.

The Current misrepresentation of the crisis as genocide against Christians fuels dangerous religious tensions, emboldens extremist and criminal factions seeking to exploit sectarian narratives, creates diplomatic frictions based on inaccurate interpretations and undermines Nigerias longstanding efforts to build constructive international security partnerships, Akume said.

He warned that before the American statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry. He said the resurgence underscored the vital need for collaboration- not public vilification- between Nigeria and the US.

He also insisted that Nigeria did not require foreign troops, stating that what the country needed was targeted support from partners, especially the United States in the area of intelligence cooperation, technology and military equipment support for advanced engagement against the insurgents.

Akume said: Nigeria rejects any characterisation of the conflict as a genocide against Christians or any group. Verified evidence shows that insurgents and criminal networks attack both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians alike.

The government remains committed to protecting all citizens and strengthening cooperation with international partnersespecially the United Statesto dismantle extremist and criminal networks.

Nigeria is a secular state as guaranteed by various provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. No state religion is adopted as a national religion and no citizen of Nigeria is above the Nigerian constitution.

The appointment made by the present administration reflects the diversities of our nation and both Christians and Muslims and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) holding key positions in equal proportion including the Nigerian security council, the body that deals with all security challenges in Nigeria.

The SGF noted that the gale of insecurity sweeping the country today was inseparable from the destabilisation that followed the 2011 Libya and Egypt uprisings, saying the collapse of the Libyan state allowed Al-Qaeda-aligned traffickers to loot and disperse heavy weapons across the Sahel.

He stated that Egypts instability further opened corridors for extremist ideologies and foreign fighters influence. He said weapons flowing through AQIM-controlled smuggling routes entered West Africa and Nigeria, strengthening Boko Haram, ISWAP and later banditry networks.

On the way forward, the SGF said to sustainably address Nigerias security challenges, the federal government would strengthen nationwide security operations, deepen intelligence-sharing with the United States and allies and intensify follow-the-money operations targeting illegal mining, trafficking, and all other forms of transnational crimes in Nigeria.

He added that the country would enhance rural security, border surveillance and governance and uphold strict human-rights safeguards.

As the United States remains the largest democracy in the world, and Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa, modelled after the American system, our two nations share a historic responsibility to work together to promote global stability, strengthen democratic values especially in Africa, and confront extremist threats in Nigeria and other neighbouring nations.

Nigeria is committed to deepening our diplomatic ties and strategic partnership based on mutual respect and reciprocity, Akume said.

We stand by our position, says CAN SGF: US genocidal claim encouraging extremist groups Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Wale Ajimotokan in Abuja A United

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