A member of the House of Representatives, Billy Famous Adesuwa, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, has attributed the growing allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria to the federal government’s delay in appointing key ambassadors and diplomatic representatives.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Adesuwa expressed concern that the absence of a Nigerian Ambassador to the United States and a Permanent Representative to the United Nations has weakened the country’s international presence at a critical time when the nation is under global scrutiny.
According to him, the recent allegations raised by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, which have gained attention in the U.S. Congress, reflect a serious matter of global politics that Nigeria cannot afford to ignore.
“This is a very sensitive and serious issue,” he said. “Nigeria cannot shy away from global politics. It is not enough to say we are being targeted as a country; we must put in place the necessary diplomatic machinery to defend our image.”
Adesuwa noted that without the proper diplomatic channels recognized by the international community, Nigeria’s efforts to respond to such allegations may yield no meaningful result.
“As we speak, I don’t think Nigeria has an ambassador to the United States or a Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Considering Nigeria’s influence in Africa, this is a serious diplomatic gap,” he stated.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently appoint ambassadors to key countries, stressing that these envoys serve as Nigeria’s voice and first line of defense in the international arena.
The lawmaker also called on the National Assembly to play an active role through parliamentary diplomacy, noting the importance of the Nigerian–U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“This is the time to engage our counterparts in the U.S. Congress and Senate,” Adesuwa said. “If we fail to act now, Nigeria will not only be at risk but could set a dangerous precedent for other African nations.”
He emphasized that both the executive and legislative arms must work hand-in-hand to address the allegations, protect Nigeria’s image, and strengthen the country’s diplomatic relations with key global players.
