Presidency faults UK group’s report

The Presidency yesterday rejected a report by the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Religious Freedom or Belief.

The APPG had on June 16, 2020 launched a new report in Westminster entitled; ‘Nigeria – Unfolding Genocide?’ which said its inquiry found that Nigerian Christians were experiencing devastating violence, with attacks by armed groups of herders resulting in the killing, maiming, dispossession and eviction of thousands.

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The report said: “These factors are compounded by the Nigerian government’s failure to respond adequately to the violence, to protect communities or to bring perpetrators of violence to justice.”

Reacting to the report yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said, “It only becomes harder for both the government and people of Nigeria to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their differences”, and upholds the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as enshrined in the Constitution when uncritical attention is afforded to critics with dubious intentions”.

“The president and government have and will at all times work with those, both within and without Nigeria, with a concern for the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”

He said the government looked forward to welcoming members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to Nigeria to see for themselves the work going on to promote the fundamental rights of citizens.

He listed ongoing efforts to defeat the terrorists, stop the farmers-herders conflict, and promote religious tolerance.