U.S. Lawmakers Slam Tinubu Govt as Congress Debates Nigeria’s “Country of Particular Concern” Status

U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga, during a tense congressional hearing on the violence in Nigeria and the U.S. decision to redesignate the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not doing enough to protect the lives of the people.

“Tinubu’s government is sitting back, not doing enough.”

Huizenga, holding back tears as he spoke of his personal ties to Nigerians, condemned what he described as the Nigerian government’s failure to respond adequately to persistent killings across multiple regions.

“I went to school with kids from Nigeria,” he said, stressing that the current wave of attacks demands far more decisive action from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Contributing, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington’s 7th District warned against reducing the conflict to a single religious narrative.

“The killings in Nigeria aren’t just the persecution of Christians. It is the persecution of multiple groups; we should be careful not to portray it as just persecution of Christians. That would be simplistic,” she argued.

In contrast, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, Jacob McGee, defended the CPC redesignation as a reaffirmation of America’s commitment to protecting vulnerable religious communities.

“Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is a clear indication that the U.S. stands ready to champion the rights of Christians and protect them from religious persecution,” McGee said.

Jayapal also cautioned against what she viewed as an unnecessarily aggressive diplomatic posture toward Abuja.

“I just wish we would stick to that playbook rather than bully and threaten a country that is extremely important to us in the region. I don’t think it’s the right way to go on Truth Social and threaten with guns blazing.”

Congressman Riley Moore urged the Nigerian government to take a look at pardoning Sunday Jackson who’s in prison [facing the death penalty] for defending himself.

Congress, Rep. Jackson added that “the idea that this nation (Nigeria) simply engaged in a one-sided religious war, I believe, is dangerous fiction. The current government, led by President Tinubu, a Muslim married to a Christian, reflects this complexity. Out of 9 top security chiefs, 5 are Christians.”

While Congressman Johnny “Johnny O” Olszewski stated “, I am troubled by the state of religious freedom in Nigeria and around the world. Violence against Christians in Nigeria is a serious issue.”