₦airaland Forum

Ted Cruz: Instead of Addressing Persecution, Nigeria Launched PR Campaign

By
Daniel Adaji
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:23:17 WAT
‎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 issues.
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‎Cruz made the remarks in a post published on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday while reacting to recent developments surrounding U.S. congressional action on Nigeria.
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‎”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,” the Republican lawmaker wrote.
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‎”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.”
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‎Cruz also alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities opted for a communications campaign.
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‎”Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” he wrote.
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‎”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,” he added.
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‎Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has consistently denied accusations that it condones or sponsors religious persecution.
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Daily Trust had reported ‎how the Federal Government hired a United States lobbying firm under a $9 million contract to strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with U.S. officials over allegations of attacks on Christian communities.

The Federal Government’s expenditure tracking platform, GovSpend, also showed how the Presidency spent N500 million in 2025 on what was described as an emergency strategic communications campaign.
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‎The payment record stated that the funds were released to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications for “emergency Strategic Communications and Global Media Engagement to counter coordinated Western propaganda against FGN on alleged Christian persecution.”
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‎The spending formed part of a broader government effort to respond to growing international criticism over insecurity and allegations of religious persecution.
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‎Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) showed that the firm was retained through Aster Legal on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
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‎According to the agreement, DCI Group was contracted to help communicate Nigeria’s efforts to protect Christian communities and maintain U.S. support for countering jihadist groups and other destabilising elements in West Africa.
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‎The contract provides for monthly payments of $750,000, with an initial $4.5 million six-month retainer.
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‎Nigeria has come under increasing international scrutiny over attacks by insurgents, bandits and other armed groups.
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‎Cruz has been among the most vocal members of the U.S. Congress calling for tougher action against Nigerian officials over alleged violations of religious freedom.
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LeeSmart:
I just read an article on aljazeera where dey were condemning Traore for banning radical islam.
How do people not know that aljazeera is the official news channel for every terrorist group world wide?
They were even trying to blame Israel for the ban on the radical islamist groups.

madridguy:
Politics is a war without gun - Aare Kurunmi on Twitter.

No where in the world power is dash out free. You have to fight for it, grab it and run away with it.

Ajibbbbbb:
Churches also do it on Sundays, they cause traffic congestion
Have you experienced...

Kobojunkie:
Awon Storytellers Association of Nigeria! 😒😒😒

Eba50:
if u no see something talk, u no dey keep quiet?

Eba50:
she no get face? them too hide something for this kwantry

helinues:
There is no tantrums, just checking your being emotional about this

This Muslim case is a bit complicated but as an example have been set with the christian, the blocking of the road banning won't require any back and forth

helinues:
I personally have issue with most especially the foreign religions as they are scam. All their nonsense should be stopped.

The progressive countries have moved beyond religion

AntiChristian:
May God punish you if cursing bandits and kidnappers won't reach me!

helinues:
Go and rest. Some of you don't understand that some things are done in order. As the preaching inside the bus have been banned, that should be a good justification to also ban those who are blocking the road but some of you would rather prefer to nag about it

CodeTemplar:
First voter. It should be an offence. A man standing up from his seat to preach hasnt obstructed public space in any way. Infact, if not for madness worrying bitter elements of arabic colonisation, the driver/conductor of a bus or manager of public park should be the one to dictate and not a government known to be pushing for Islamic amnesty for one part of the country.
It goes to show that we are under islamic colonization in this idiotic union.

AntiChristian:
These bandits and kidnappers won't end well!

The Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Capt Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement, said the rescued students received immediate medical assessment and appropriate care.

According to him, “All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted. Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.”

The military said the attempted mass abduction was foiled in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) in the early hours of Sunday at the college.

Mrchippychappy:
Why Hasn't the Nigerian Government Banned Road-Blocking Prayers


Warning: Please no religious intolerance on this post. Respectfully share your opinions and suggestions on how this menace can be stopped

In many parts of Nigeria, particularly in urban centers like Lagos, Ilorin, and Abuja, Religious activities be it over spill from Christian activities or Jummah prayers frequently spill onto major roads, bringing traffic to a standstill. Worshippers spread prayer mats across carriageways, halting vehicles for extended periods. This raises a pressing question: Why does the Nigerian government tolerate a practice that other countries, including Muslim-majority nations, have actively restricted or banned for reasons of public order, traffic flow, and security?

Examples from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Other Nations

Gulf states enforce strict regulations to prevent such disruptions. In Kuwait, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has issued directives restricting prayer areas to maintain order. Mosques were instructed to close main indoor halls for daily prayers (using courtyards instead) and limit prayer durations particularly for noon and afternoon prayers.

While Saudi Arabia prioritizes organized worship within designated areas. Authorities urge worshippers to use allocated spaces in the Grand Mosque, avoiding entry/exit gates, pathways, emergency corridors, and vehicle lanes to prevent disruptions. Outdoor loudspeakers for prayers are banned during Ramadan (limited to adhan and iqama only), and mass prayers in public streets are generally prohibited under traffic safety and public order rules.

In India, several states and leaders have cracked down on "road namaz." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned against blocking roads for prayers, emphasizing that roads are for commuting, not spectacles, and calling for prayers in shifts at designated places. The Vishva Hindu Parishad has sought a nationwide ban, describing it as a "disturbance" rather than prayer. Indian courts and officials have reinforced that public roads cannot be blocked for religious activities.

These examples show that even in Muslim-majority contexts, governments balance religious practice with civic responsibilities by directing prayers to mosques or designated zones and penalizing obstructions.

The Situation in Nigeria: Traffic Chaos and Security Risks


In Nigeria, Similar appeals have come from judicial figures and clerics warning that blocking roads endangers lives and contradicts Islamic emphasis on order. Traffic disruptions are routine. Major roads in port areas like Apapa, Lagos, or cities like Ilorin grind to a halt weekly, affecting commuters, traders, and the economy.

Security risks are significant: Crowds in the middle of roads create vulnerabilities to attacks or accidents. Emergency services are impeded , ambulances have been forced to park on the side while waiting for prayers to end, as police and drivers dare not force their way through the congregation. This isn't hypothetical; such scenes occur regularly, potentially costing lives in medical emergencies.

Nigeria's diverse, multi-religious society demands equitable enforcement of traffic and public order laws. Allowing one group's practices to paralyze infrastructure undermines the rule of law and fuels resentment. Mosques should accommodate worshippers or stagger times, as seen elsewhere and the same should apply to Churches as well!

The government must act decisively, enforcing existing laws, designating prayer zones, and ensuring roads remain open. Public safety and mobility should not be secondary to any religious observance. Nigeria deserves a balanced approach that respects faith while prioritizing the common good, just as progressive policies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, and parts of Nigeria itself demonstrate.

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-orders-shorter-prayer-time-and-mosque-restrictions-to-cut-electricity-use-1.500099132

PigTormentor:
This one created a religious bigotry post insinuating that Muslims are the only ones that impact traffic when praying but he's also asking for others not to post religious intolerance responses.
This has to be a new level of gaslighting.
You.just did what you are asking others not to do.
First, was it federal govt passed the law? It was passed by the national assembly which comprised of Muslim and Christian members from every part of the country.
Secondly, Christians block more roads on Sundays for munch longer hours.
They make way more noise, disturbing their neighborhoods with high traffic and all sorts of craps.

louqas:
Mosque full thats why others are praying outside now, does it make sense that the mosque will be empty and people will just be praying on the road
Take it from me, it's a temporary situation that most who find themselves in don't like but are forced to because no space inside the mosque

louqas:
The ambulance will pass the side of the road not closed now , it's usually one part closed and in many cases it's even partially closed and lasts less than 30 minutes

Shebi if road is being constructed there is blockage and even total closure of roads, don't ambulance find their way? They take alternative route

MaziObinnaokija:
Lawlessness..Those peeps UpNorth dey 🚫 Road especially on Fridays.
God help u if u travel during RCCG Holy Ghost Revival..In Abuja, 🐄 🐄 🐄s dey compete with motorists. U dare not challenge them.Even police go block road especially from their station. U begin dey sweat if in public bus/ 😒 🤔 😒 🤔 say accident /broke down cat dey front.GOD GO HELP US

Ajibbbbbb:
No religion should be allowed to use speaker again then
Also, there must be no night service throughout the nation