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Back Nigeria CPC Designation With Real Action, Bishop Anagbe Urges Trump
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, has urged the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) with concrete action.
He made the appeal on Thursday while testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC
“On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.”
“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country,” Anagbe said.
The Bishop urged lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.
“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.
The cleric also appealed for support to rebuild livelihoods and endorsed proposed U.S. legislation on accountability.
“They must be supported to rebuild their economic livelihood and enjoy basic services such as education and sanitation.
“Support this Nigerian Religious Freedom Accountability Act to hold perpetrators accountable. This point cannot be overemphasised because impunity fuels the violence we suffer,” he said.
Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised. He said one priest he knows “cannot walk” after surviving a terrorist attack.
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.
Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”
He stressed that the killings must stop, noting that the CPC designation brought “joy, hope and spiritual resilience” to communities under attack but insisted it cannot end the violence alone.
“Irrespective of who is being killed, the prime question is: are there killings in Nigeria? The government should stop it.
“It requires political, military and humanitarian interventions. Mr Chairman and members, the blood of Nigerian Christians cries out to you. We cannot afford to wait any longer.
“Use every tool of U.S. influence to demand change. America has a unique role in defending religious freedom globally. Please enact concrete action according to the CPC designation. We all know that inaction emboldens extremists even more,” he said.
The committee will hear from senior U.S. State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.
The controversy escalated after President Trump reinstated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025. He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country.
Pressed by reporters on Air Force One, he confirmed that military options were under consideration.
The Nigerian Government has firmly rejected Trump’s claim.
President Bola Tinubu said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our reality.”
American rapper Nicki Minaj also weighed in on Tuesday while speaking at a U.S. Mission to the United Nations forum on religious violence.
She said, “No group should ever be attacked because of its faith” and stressed that her comments aimed to unite people.
Nigeria was first declared a CPC in 2020 under Trump, but former President Joe Biden removed the designation shortly after assuming office.
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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.
According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.
Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Details shortly…
PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule
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