Olawepo-Hashim presents religious freedom, security plan to US Congress

Accord Party presidential hopeful, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has proposed a law to criminalise religious persecution in Nigeria and an independent commission to investigate attacks, publish findings and compensate victims, as part of a security plan he presented to the United States Congress.

He said the proposed legislation would address religiously motivated violence, hate incitement and forced displacement, while the commission would investigate reported attacks within 30 days and operate in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The presidential candidate made his argument in a policy brief submitted to the US Congress and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom ahead of a House hearing on Nigeria, The PUNCH learnt via a statement on Wednesday.

He acknowledged attacks on Christian communities, churches and clergy, but said members of other religious groups and communities also suffered 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.

Olawepo-Hashim argued that the protection of religious freedom should be treated as a national security priority, warning that failure to punish attacks and protect communities could deepen grievances and create conditions for violent extremism.

“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.

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

The proposed independent commission would report to the National Assembly, investigate attacks within 30 days and make its findings public. It would also oversee compensation for victims of religious violence.

He said his administration would, within its first 90 days, convene a national summit involving victims, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Shia leaders, Hausa cultural representatives, women, young people and internally displaced persons.

He also proposed establishing a National Guard to protect vulnerable villages, farms, schools and places of worship, alongside a programme to facilitate the return of displaced persons and rebuild communities destroyed by violence.

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The proposed reconstruction programme would cover affected communities in Shanga, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Borno states.

“Protecting a church in Plateau, a Shia mosque in Kaduna and a Hausa cultural centre in Kebbi is how we stop extremism before it takes root,” he said.

The Accord candidate also called on the United States to partner with Nigeria in convening an international security conference on Nigeria and the Sahel within the first 100 days of his proposed presidency.

He said the conference would involve the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the United States and other international partners, with discussions focusing on 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.

Olawepo-Hashim further linked religious freedom to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, warning that political intimidation, incitement and electoral malpractice could worsen divisions and insecurity.

Citing the recent attack on activist and political figure Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State, he called for stronger safeguards against political violence and urged the US to support Nigeria’s electoral process through international observation, technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission and engagement with civil society.

“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.

He added that electoral malpractice threatened more than the integrity of the ballot, arguing that “a rigged election does not just steal votes; it steals peace.”

He maintained that religious freedom could not be secured without confronting armed groups responsible for attacks on communities.

“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.