APC USA Seeks to Testify Before U.S. Congress as Hearing on Alleged Christian “Genocide” in Nigeria Begins
The United States arm of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to present testimony to a U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, as American lawmakers hold a hearing today into claims of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In a formal request to Rep. Chris Smith, chairman of the Subcommittee, APC USA has proposed sending a high-level delegation to deliver “firsthand intelligence and verifiable data” aimed at giving U.S. legislators a more nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s security crisis.
According to the APC USA’s chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, many international narratives mischaracterize the violence in Nigeria. He stressed that the country’s security challenges are not solely rooted in religious persecution, but are also driven by “banditry, resource conflict, climate pressures, and transnational crime.”
Balofin added that the party would highlight “progress in degrading terrorist networks, improvements in early-warning systems, and stronger interfaith engagement” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Beyond reframing the debate, APC USA also plans to propose deeper U.S, Nigeria cooperation on security, intelligence-sharing, and humanitarian support.
The hearing comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom, a move that sparked controversy and raised the prospect of U.S. sanctions.
Expected witnesses at the congressional session include senior U.S. State Department officials such as Jonathan Pratt and Jacob McGee, as well as religious freedom advocates like Nina Shea, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, and Oge Onubogu.
The APC USA’s intervention is part of a broader diplomatic push to counter what it calls “distorted narratives” and to ensure that foreign policymaking is informed by “on-the-ground realities,” not solely by political rhetoric.
If you like, I can compare how different Nigerian political parties are responding to the genocide claims and the U.S. debate. Do you want me to do that?