Trump administration designates Nigeria as religious rights violator

The United States has designated Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari as a violator of religious rights.
The U.S. slammed Nigeria in its annual religious rights index on Monday, alongside other countries like Burma, Iran and China, according to a statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Nigeria under Mr. Buhari has come under frequent criticism for failing to protect rights of minorities and Christians. The government denied the allegations.
The full statement from Mr. Pompeo:
“Today the U.S. designates Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.
“The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Navy reaffirms commitment to national development through civil-military relations
Nigerian Navy chief Idi Abbas has reaffirmed commitment to national development through strengthened civil-military relations and sustainable community development initiatives.

Agriculture
Gov Okpebholo signs Edo agriculture college bill
The new law changes the institution’s name from Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to Edo State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology.

NationWide
De-registration of ADC, Accord Party, APP, AA, ZLP: Appeal Court reserves judgement
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in appeals challenging the Federal High Court’s decision ordering INEC to deregister five opposition political parties.

Diaspora
Nigerian diaspora community says Jimoh Ibrahim’s appointment yielding results
The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians applauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s UN ambassador.

States
School Abduction: Oyo assembly backs Gov Makinde’s call for international investigation
The lawmaker cautioned the public and the Nigerian Senate against misinterpreting the purpose of the state governor’s call for an international investigation.

Politics
Tuggar group rejects Bauchi APC governorship candidate Mohammed Abubakar
He dismissed Mr Abubakar’s declaration as a governorship candidate, alleging that there were no governorship primaries in the state.





