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The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has pledged to protect Christians, Muslims and adherents of other religions if elected in 2027, proposing a national framework to tackle religious persecution and prevent violent extremism.
Olawepo-Hashim made the pledge in a policy brief submitted to the United States Congress and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom ahead of a US House hearing on Nigeria.
He acknowledged that Christians in parts of northern and central Nigeria faced persecution, with churches destroyed, pastors killed and communities attacked. However, he warned against presenting the country’s religious crisis solely as a conflict between Christians and Muslims.
The former presidential candidate said Shia Muslims, minority religious groups and Hausa Muslim communities also faced persecution and discrimination.
“Christians in northern and central Nigeria face persecution. Churches have been burned, villages destroyed, and pastors killed. This is real.
“But Shia Muslims, minority sects, and Hausa Muslim communities also face persecution and discrimination. Framing Nigeria as Christians versus Muslims divides Nigeria. Framing it as all victims versus violent extremism unites Nigeria,” he said.
He argued that religious freedom should be treated as a key part of Nigeria’s national security strategy, rather than only a human rights concern.
“When people cannot worship freely, they feel excluded. When killers are not punished, impunity grows. When impunity grows, communities form militias. When militias grow, extremists recruit from them,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim said his administration would, if elected, introduce a National Policy Framework on Religious Freedom for Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism.
He proposed convening a national summit within the first 90 days of his administration, bringing together victims, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Shia leaders, Hausa cultural representatives, women, young people and internally displaced persons.
He also promised to propose legislation within 180 days to criminalise religious persecution, hate incitement and forced displacement.
The proposed framework would include an independent national commission with offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The commission, he said, would report to the National Assembly, investigate attacks within 30 days, publish its findings and ensure compensation for victims.
The Accord Party candidate also proposed establishing a National Guard to protect vulnerable communities, farms, schools and places of worship. He said the wider security programme would support the return of displaced persons and the rebuilding of communities destroyed by violence in states including Shanga, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Borno.
“This is a Nigerian solution for Nigeria and a model for West Africa and Africa,” he said.
He further called on the United States to partner with Nigeria in organising an international security conference on Nigeria and the Sahel within the first 100 days of his presidency, if elected.
According to him, the proposed meeting would involve the Economic Community of West African States, African Union, United States and other international partners, with discussions focusing on religious freedom, intelligence sharing, border security and efforts to counter violent extremism.
“Nigeria should lead, with the United States as partner. If Nigeria gets this right, West Africa and Africa will follow,” he said.
On the 2027 general election, Olawepo-Hashim warned that political intimidation, incitement and electoral malpractice could worsen existing divisions and undermine national security.
“Free, fair, transparent and credible elections mean no religious violence, no intimidation, no incitement and no rigging,” he said.
He cited the recent attack on activist and political figure Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State as an example of the danger of political violence, warning that electoral malpractice could threaten peace and human rights.
“Election rigging is itself a threat to religious freedom, conflict prevention and human rights. A rigged election does not just steal votes; it steals peace,” he said.
He urged the United States to support Nigeria’s electoral process through sustained engagement, international observation, technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission and support for civil society organisations.
However, he stressed that such assistance should not amount to interference in Nigeria’s choice of leader.
“This is not a request for America to choose Nigeria’s leader. It is a request for America to help Nigerians choose their own leader, free from religious and political violence, intimidation and rigging,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim maintained that Nigeria must take the lead in protecting religious freedom, adding that violent groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru and armed bandit networks must be confronted.
“Religious freedom cannot be protected while Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru and bandit terror networks operate with impunity. Countering violent extremism is religious freedom protection,” he added.
