The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United States has asked to testify before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa as American lawmakers review former President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) because of alleged religious persecution. In a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Chris Smith, APC USA said it is ready to send a high‑level delegation to present firsthand intelligence and verifiable data on Nigeria’s security realities.
Prof. Tai Balofin, chairman of APC USA, confirmed the request and said the group aims to clarify what it sees as misconceptions about Nigeria’s security challenges. APC USA argues that insecurity in Nigeria stems from a mix of banditry, resource conflicts, climate pressures and transnational crime, rather than solely from religious persecution. The organization believes Congress needs a comprehensive understanding of the situation before drawing conclusions.
The proposed testimony will also highlight security gains made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and will include recommendations for greater U.S.–Nigeria cooperation on security, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian support. This development follows Nigeria’s criticism of the United States for excluding the country from a UN event on alleged killings of Nigerians of a particular faith group, an event hosted by American rapper Nicki Minaj.
The request to testify underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s security environment and the need for a nuanced understanding of the issues at play. As the House Subcommittee on Africa continues its review, APC USA’s testimony is likely to provide valuable insights into Nigeria’s security realities and potential areas for U.S.–Nigeria collaboration, with significant implications for bilateral relations and Nigeria’s CPC designation.
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