Hashim Tells US Congress: I’ll Criminalise Religious Persecution If Elected

The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has pledged to protect Christians, Muslims and adherents of other religions in Nigeria, declaring that religious freedom would be a major pillar of his administration if elected in 2027.

Hashim made the pledge in a policy brief submitted to the United States Congress and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) ahead of a US House hearing on Nigeria.

He acknowledged the persecution of Christians in parts of the country, including attacks on churches, killings of pastors and destruction of communities, but cautioned against portraying Nigeria’s religious crisis exclusively as a conflict between Christians and Muslims.

According to him, members of other religious groups, including Shia Muslims, minority Islamic sects and Hausa Muslim communities, also experience 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.

The Accord presidential candidate argued that religious freedom should be recognised not merely as a human rights concern but also as a critical component of national security, conflict prevention and efforts to tackle violent extremism.

He explained that the inability of people to freely practise their faith, coupled with the failure to punish perpetrators of religious violence, could fuel resentment, promote the emergence of armed groups and create opportunities for extremist recruitment.

“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.

Hashim added that protecting churches, mosques and cultural centres across different communities was essential to preventing extremism and promoting national cohesion.

He disclosed that his administration, if elected, would develop and implement a National Policy Framework on Religious Freedom for Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism.

As part of the proposed framework, he pledged to convene a National Summit within his first 90 days in office, bringing together victims of religious violence, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Shia leaders, Hausa cultural representatives, women, young people and internally displaced persons.

He also proposed a National Religious Freedom for Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism Act, which he said would be pursued within 180 days of assuming office.

According to him, the proposed legislation would criminalise religious persecution, hate incitement and the forced displacement of communities.

Another major component of his proposal is the establishment of an Independent National Commission, with offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reporting directly to the National Assembly.

Under the proposed arrangement, the commission would investigate reported attacks within 30 days, make its findings public and ensure that victims receive appropriate compensation.

The presidential hopeful also proposed the establishment of a National Guard to protect vulnerable communities, villages, farmlands, schools and places of worship against attacks.

He said his broader security agenda would prioritise the safe return of displaced persons and reconstruction of destroyed communities, particularly in Shanga, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Borno states.

Describing the proposals as a home-grown approach to tackling insecurity, Hashim said Nigeria could develop a model that other West African countries and the African continent could adopt.

He further called on the United States to partner with Nigeria in organising an International Conference on Security in Nigeria and the Sahel within the first 100 days of his administration, if elected.

The proposed conference, he said, would bring together the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union, United States and other international partners to develop a coordinated approach to religious freedom, conflict prevention, intelligence sharing, border security and countering violent extremism.

“Nigeria should lead, with the United States as partner. If Nigeria gets this right, West Africa and Africa will follow,” he said.

Hashim also linked religious freedom and national security to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, warning that political intimidation, incitement and electoral malpractice could worsen existing divisions and threaten national stability.

He maintained that credible elections must be conducted without religious violence, intimidation, incitement or manipulation of results.

Citing the recent reported attack on activist and political figure, Omoyele Sowore, in Ekiti State, he cautioned against allowing political violence to compound the country’s security challenges.

“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.

The Accord candidate urged the United States to support Nigeria’s electoral process through sustained diplomatic engagement, international observation, technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and support for civil society organisations.

He, however, stressed that such support should not amount to interference in Nigeria’s choice of leadership.

“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.

Hashim insisted that Nigeria must take the lead in demonstrating that religious freedom is not a foreign concept but an African value that should be protected through justice, equality and respect for diversity.

He concluded that efforts to protect religious freedom would remain incomplete without decisive action against terrorist organisations and armed groups operating across the country.

“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 said.