Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has issued a stern warning to Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, United States, over what he described as “malicious and unfounded allegations” against Nigeria.
Onanuga’s warning followed a recent social media post by Senator Cruz accusing the Nigerian government of “ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists.” The American lawmaker also announced his sponsorship of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, a bill aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution.
Reacting through a statement and a post on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga dismissed Cruz’s claims as deliberate falsehoods meant to damage Nigeria’s image before the international community. He described the senator’s assertions as “contrived lies” that fail to reflect the realities of Nigeria’s multi-religious society.
“Nigeria is not at war with any religion. Our people—Christians, Muslims, and others—have lived together peacefully for generations. The security challenges we face are not religious but criminal in nature, and they affect all Nigerians irrespective of faith,” Onanuga said.
He called on the U.S. lawmaker to desist from spreading misinformation and to verify his claims before making sweeping statements about Nigeria’s internal affairs. The presidency, through Onanuga, reiterated that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to national unity, religious freedom, and security for all citizens.
The Nigerian government also dismissed the notion of “religious genocide,” emphasizing that acts of terrorism and banditry in parts of the country are driven by criminal motives, not religious agendas. Officials stressed that Nigeria continues to collaborate with global partners, including the United States, to tackle insecurity and promote peace.
Observers say Onanuga’s strong response underscores the administration’s determination to challenge what it considers external misrepresentation of the country’s complex security realities.