Nigeria TV Info 
U.S. Congress Split Over Nigeria’s CPC Designation Amid Alleged Christian Genocide Claims

Tensions have surged between Washington and Abuja following the U.S. decision to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing alleged systematic persecution of Christians. Thirty-one U.S. lawmakers applauded the move, calling it a strong moral stand against what they described as a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. They urged tougher diplomatic pressure and possible sanctions.

However, not all in Congress agree. Some lawmakers and analysts warn that the casualty data presented to justify the designation is flawed and one‑sided, noting that violence in Nigeria is deeply complex and not solely religion-driven. They argue that broad insecurity — involving terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and regional unrest — affects both Christians and Muslims.

In Nigeria, the government has strongly rejected the CPC label. The Presidency claims it is grounded in “misinformation” and politically motivated narratives. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has also condemned the designation, calling the genocide claims false and warning they threaten national unity.

A key think tank, the Independent Media & Policy Initiative (IMPI), has accused international and local advocacy groups of manipulating data to paint Nigeria as uniquely targeted for Christian persecution. It singled out Open Doors and other organizations as pushing a biased narrative. The Presidency has countered by highlighting its counter-terrorism gains — it says it has neutralized over 13,000 terrorists recently and reduced terror‑related deaths significantly.

Adding to the drama, a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing has been scheduled for November 20, where Nigerian religious leaders and U.S. State Department officials are expected to testify. On the other side, Nigeria’s House of Representatives unanimously rejected the U.S. Senate’s genocide framing, calling it a distortion of the country’s security reality.