Timi Frank
Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged the United States government to ensure that any sanctions arising from Nigeria’s designation as a “country of particular concern (CPC)” do not affect innocent citizens.
Trump had on Friday announced the designation, saying “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria”, and blaming “radical Islamists” for widespread killings.
When the US designates a state as a CPC, congress is notified to impose non-economic policy options designed to bring about cessation of the particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Where these options have been exhausted, an economic measure follows.
In a statement on Saturday, Frank said sanctions by the US government should target corrupt officials and their family members implicated in human rights abuses and insecurity.
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“We appeal to the United States to protect ordinary Nigerians from the fallout of sanctions after due investigations,” he said.
“The measures should be directed at those directly responsible for the atrocities, not at citizens already suffering from the government’s failures, Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Frank called on the US and its allies to impose visa bans, freeze assets, and restrict access to illicit funds belonging to corrupt Nigerian officials.
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“The time for polite diplomacy is over. The world must stand with victims, not with those profiting from bloodshed,” he added.
Frank warned that failure to act decisively would deepen Nigeria’s crisis, resulting in more deaths and economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the federal government has rejected Trump’s move to tag Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over Christian genocide claims.
In a statement on Saturday, Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs said the claims do not reflect the realities on the ground.
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“Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
On September 30, Tinubu said allegations of religious genocide in Nigeria were unfounded, noting that the country is built on the faith and resilience of its people.
On October 14, the senate set up a 12-member ad hoc committee to develop a comprehensive position paper in response to growing international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
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