Get Guardian on GoogleAccord Party presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has proposed legislation to criminalise religious persecution and the establishment of an independent commission to investigate attacks and compensate victims, if elected president in 2027.
Hashim made the proposals 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 said protecting the right of every Nigerian to practise his or her religion freely should be a central component of the country’s security and conflict prevention strategy.
While acknowledging attacks on Christians, churches and pastors in parts of northern and central Nigeria, the Accord candidate cautioned against portraying the country’s religious crisis as exclusively a conflict between Christians and Muslims.
He argued that Shia Muslims, minority religious groups and some Hausa Muslim communities also faced persecution and discrimination, warning that a narrow religious framing could deepen divisions.
“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,” he said.
Hashim maintained that religious freedom was both a fundamental human right and an essential instrument for preventing conflict and tackling violent extremism.
He proposed that, within 90 days of assuming office, his administration would convene a national summit involving the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Shia leaders, Hausa cultural representatives, victims, women, youths and internally displaced persons.
He also pledged to pursue a National Religious Freedom for Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism Act within 180 days of his inauguration.
The proposed legislation, according to him, would criminalise religious persecution, hate incitement and forced displacement.
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, to investigate attacks and report to the National Assembly.
Under the proposed arrangement, investigations would be concluded within 30 days, with findings made public and victims compensated.
The presidential hopeful also proposed the establishment of a National Guard to protect vulnerable communities, farms, schools and places of worship.
He said his security programme would facilitate the return of displaced persons and the reconstruction of communities affected by violence in states including Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Borno.
On international cooperation, Hashim called on the United States to partner with Nigeria in convening an international conference on security in Nigeria and the Sahel within the first 100 days of his presidency, if elected.
The proposed conference would involve the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union, United States and other international partners, with discussions focusing on religious freedom, intelligence sharing, border security and countering violent extremism.
He also linked religious freedom to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, warning that political intimidation, incitement and electoral malpractice could worsen existing divisions.
Citing the reported attack on activist and political figure, Omoyele Sowore, in Ekiti, he urged the United States to support Nigeria’s electoral process through international observation, technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and engagement with civil society organisations.
“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 protecting religious freedom and confronting violent extremism, including threats posed by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ansaru and armed bandit networks.
