Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has issued a strong rebuttal to United States Senator Ted Cruz, warning him to desist from spreading what he described as “malicious lies” about Nigeria.
The reaction followed a post by Senator Cruz on X (formerly Twitter), where the Texas lawmaker accused Nigerian officials of ignoring, and in some cases enabling, the mass killing of Christians by Islamist extremists. He also referenced his proposed legislation, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which he said would sanction officials found complicit.
“It’s time to hold those responsible accountable,” Cruz wrote.
Responding sharply, Onanuga dismissed the claims as unfounded and misleading.
“Senator, stop these malicious, contrived lies against my country. We do not have a religious war in Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal groups operating in the country indiscriminately target innocent civilians, farmers, soldiers, and even Muslims worshipping in mosques, stressing that Christians are not being singled out.
“The degraded Boko Haram terrorists operating on the fringes of Nigeria’s North East target everyone. They attack farmers, our soldiers. The bandits in the North West kill worshippers in their mosques. Christians are not targeted. We have religious harmony in our country. Stop these malicious lies,” Onanuga insisted.
The exchange underscores growing tension between Nigerian authorities and some U.S. lawmakers who have persistently raised concerns over alleged religious persecution in Africa’s most populous country.
