United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of prioritising lobbying efforts in Washington over addressing allegations of attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Cruz alleged that Nigerian officials had focused on a public relations campaign instead of responding to concerns raised by American lawmakers about religious violence in the country.
“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” the senator said.
Cruz’s remarks come amid renewed debate in the United States over claims of widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria, allegations that have repeatedly been raised by some American lawmakers and advocacy groups but rejected by the Nigerian government.
The senator is sponsoring the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, 2025, which seeks to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of enabling religious persecution and enforcing policies, including blasphemy laws, that he claims contribute to attacks on Christians and other religious minorities.
According to Cruz, certain government policies have created an environment that allows violence against religious communities to persist.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitated mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” he said.
He added that he had continued to push for sanctions against officials he believes are responsible, while commending President Donald Trump’s response to concerns over religious persecution in Nigeria.
Cruz’s comments add to growing criticism from sections of the US political establishment over Nigeria’s handling of insecurity and religious freedom.
The controversy also follows scrutiny of the Federal Government’s lobbying efforts in Washington. A report published by Peoples Gazette on January 14 alleged that the Tinubu administration committed $9 million to a Republican-linked lobbying firm to strengthen ties with the United States amid concerns over terrorism and attacks on Christian communities.
The debate gained further momentum when House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith and Representative Riley Moore introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation also seeks sanctions and other measures against Nigerian officials found responsible for violations of religious freedom.