US Senator Ted Cruz accuses Nigerian govt of PR campaign over Christian persecution allegations

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of responding to international concerns over alleged persecution of Christians by launching a public relations campaign instead of addressing the underlying security and religious freedom challenges.

Cruz made the remarks in a post published on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday while reacting to recent developments regarding U.S. congressional action on Nigeria.

The Republican lawmaker alleged that Nigerian authorities had created conditions that enabled violence against Christians and other religious minorities.

“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” Cruz wrote.

He added that he had continued to push legislation aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials allegedly responsible for such policies.

“The U.S. government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies. I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action,” he stated.

Cruz further alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities had focused on managing international perception.

“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” he wrote.

“They were confident in that campaign and in their ability to continue the status quo, and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proven them wrong.”

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected allegations that it condones or sponsors religious persecution, maintaining that security forces are combating terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent criminality without regard to religion or ethnicity.

Recent disclosures indicate that the Federal Government retained a United States lobbying firm under a reported $9 million contract to strengthen engagement with U.S. policymakers over allegations of attacks on Christian communities.

According to documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the firm was engaged through Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The agreement reportedly tasked DCI Group with communicating Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and sustain U.S. support for counter-terrorism operations against jihadist groups and other security threats in West Africa.

The contract provides for monthly payments of $750,000, including an initial six-month retainer valued at $4.5 million.

Government expenditure records published on the GovSpend platform also showed that the Presidency approved N500 million in 2025 for what was described as an emergency strategic communications and global media engagement campaign.

The payment, made to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, was intended to counter what the government described as coordinated Western propaganda concerning allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Nigeria has faced growing international scrutiny over persistent attacks by insurgents, bandits and other armed groups, particularly in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.

Cruz has remained one of the leading voices in the U.S. Congress advocating tougher measures against Nigerian officials over alleged violations of religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable communities