The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress has asked to appear before the US House Subcommittee on Africa as lawmakers review Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
APC USA Chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, said the party wants to present what it described as firsthand intelligence and verified data on Nigeria’s security realities.
He said, “The narrative that is sometimes presented abroad risks oversimplifying a complex security crisis driven by banditry, resource conflicts, climate stress, and transnational crime, not solely by religious persecution.”
Balofin added that the party would highlight security gains recorded under President Bola Tinubu and push for deeper US-Nigeria cooperation.
He said, “These include progress in degrading terrorist networks, improvements in community-based early-warning systems, and initiatives that promote interfaith harmony.”
The APC noted that it respects Congressman Chris Smith’s long-standing work on human rights but wants equal opportunity to present what it called a balanced picture.
He said, “We respectfully ask him to grant APC USA… the opportunity to contribute to a fair, accurate, and solution-oriented discussion.”
The request comes amid Nigeria’s criticism of a recent UN event hosted by US rapper Nicki Minaj, where officials say the country was excluded from discussions on alleged religious killings.
Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, said, “It is important to ensure the country concerned in the ongoing allegations… is present, aware and has a voice in the matter.”
Endoni also warned that excluding Nigeria from such engagements risks escalating tensions rather than encouraging cooperation.