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Cruz Bill Aims To Hold Nigerian Officials, 12 States Accountable For Religious Violence
United States Senator Ted Cruz has called on the White House to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials and 12 state governments that enforce Sharia and blasphemy laws, saying these laws are being used to persecute Christians in the country.
Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Senator Cruz praised President Donald Trump for reinstating Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a classification used by the U.S. State Department to identify nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.
The designation, which had been removed under President Joe Biden, was restored last week following growing pressure from religious freedom advocates and conservative lawmakers in the U.S.
Cruz, a long-time critic of the Biden administration’s foreign policy on religious rights, said the previous government “turned a blind eye” to what he described as the mass killing of Christians by extremist groups in northern Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, Joe Biden came into office and immediately removed Nigeria from the list,” Cruz said.
“He lifted pressure, ended sanctions, and looked away while radical terrorists continued slaughtering Christians.”
He added that President Trump’s renewed action was both “necessary and moral.”
“When President Trump was re-elected, I led efforts urging him to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Last Friday, he did, and it was absolutely the right thing to do.”
Senator Cruz revealed he has introduced new legislation that seeks to impose visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions on Nigerian officials and state governments accused of enforcing laws that infringe on religious freedom.
“I’ve introduced a bill that would sanction those responsible for facilitating or condoning these mass atrocities,” he said.
“Twelve Nigerian states enforce Sharia law and blasphemy laws. These are being used to persecute Christians, and the officials involved are complicit.”
Cruz urged the White House to use America’s “full range of sanctioning tools” to pressure the Nigerian authorities to halt religious persecution.
“These actions are not about punishing Nigeria, they’re about incentivizing change and protecting innocent lives,” he said.
The renewed push for sanctions follows President Trump’s recent comments warning that the U.S. “will not stand by while Christians are being killed” in Nigeria.
In a statement released by the White House, Trump reaffirmed that Nigeria has officially been placed on the CPC list and warned that Washington could cut aid or take military action if the violence continues.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump said. “Thousands are being killed by radical Islamists. The United States will not tolerate these atrocities.”
He also called on congressional leaders, including Rep. Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, to immediately review U.S. aid to Nigeria and report back with recommendations.
“The U.S. is willing and able to defend religious minorities. The killing of Christians will not continue under our watch,” Trump added.
The Nigerian government has dismissed the U.S. allegations, saying they are based on misinformation and political bias. Officials in Abuja insist that ongoing violence in parts of the country stems from criminality, ethnic clashes, and banditry, not religious persecution.
“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and protects all faiths,” a government spokesperson said earlier. “The suggestion that there is a campaign of Christian genocide is both inaccurate and unfair.”
Nigeria was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 during President Trump’s first term, due to reports of rising attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The designation was removed under President Biden in 2021 amid diplomatic engagements with Abuja.
Human rights groups and international observers have continued to warn of deteriorating security conditions in northern Nigeria, where thousands have been killed or displaced in attacks by armed groups.
Cruz’s proposed sanctions, if enacted, could mark one of the most significant escalations in U.S.-Nigeria relations in years.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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