• Protesters demand action over Christian killings, freedom for Sunday Jackson

By EMMANUEL OGEBE, Washington

A large throng of Nigerians under the aegis of the Save Nigeria Group USA with members drawn from across the United States of America and Canada defied the chilly winter weather at the grounds of the U.S Capitol to rally support for the over 52,000 of their compatriots killed in the on-going sectarian violence in the country and the 11 million others trapped in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps around the country. The crowd was bolstered by activists from other African countries who live in the U.S and many Americans who have visited Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the leader of the group, Mr. Stephen Osemwegie, decried the seeming intractable ethnic-inspired religious killings and recurrent kidnapping of citizens which have ravaged many parts of Nigeria wondering why the government which should have the primary duty of protecting lives and properties has failed to do so in Nigeria. His words:

"We gather today on this sacred ground — not because of the buildings behind us, but because of the truth we are speaking, the justice we are demanding, and the lives we refuse to forget. I stand before you not only as President of Save Nigeria Group USA, but as a son of Nigeria… a witness to suffering… and a believer in the power of faith, truth, and righteous action.

Today, as we raise our voices here in Washington, millions of Christians across Nigeria are living in terror. In Plateau… Benue… Kaduna… Taraba… Southern Kaduna… Borno… and the Southeast — the attacks are relentless: • Churches burned • Pastors beheaded • Villages wiped out • Women and children abducted • Entire communities erased • Over 11 million displaced Christians struggling to survive. And only days ago — over 300 Christian school children were kidnapped at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. This is not random violence. This is not “farmer-herder conflict.” This is a systematic campaign of religious and ethnic cleansing, carried out by jihadist militias and protected by political actors. Call it what it is: A Christian Genocide."

He continued: "On November 1, President Donald J. Trump — with courage, moral clarity, and a heart for the persecuted — redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). This was not symbolic. This was the first true step toward stopping the killings. President Trump saw what many refused to see. He said what many feared to say. And he acted when others sat in silence. We thank him. We honor him. And we stand with him.

The leader of the Nigerian Immigrants' group noted that "Nigeria has abandoned the foundation that once held its diverse peoples together: The 1960 Constitution respected: • Religious diversity • Cultural identity • Regional autonomy • Fair political balance • Freedom of worship".

"Today, a highly centralized system — established by force through several military coups and counter coups — has created a weaponized federal structure that empowers extremists, suppresses regions, and fuels oppression. The current 1999 Constitution of Nigeria begins with a Lie “We the People of Nigeria….” Which People? You mean a few Soldiers in Uniform? That document is at the heart of our problem. It should be repealed and replaced! We call for a return to a constitutional framework modeled on 1960, one that allows every region to govern itself, protect its people, and preserve its faith.

He contended that the world must respond echoing the recent position held by former President Olusegun Obasanjo:

"Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently said: “When a government fails to protect its citizens, the people have the right to call for international intervention.” That moment is now. Nigeria’s government has failed. And we — as Nigerians in the diaspora — have the right, the duty, and the calling to demand global action".

He therefore urged the government of the United States to act quickly, describing the designation of Nigeria by the U.S as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) as a good step in the right direction: "The CPC designation is only step one. Today, we call on the U.S. Government to move forward with urgency".

The group further urged the U.S Senate Majority leader, John Thune to: "Bring Senator Ted Cruz’s bill, S.2747, to the floor for an immediate vote: to target terror sponsors, sanctions corrupt officials, cut off money fueling the killings, help stop the genocide as proposed therein.”

They urged the United States House of Representatives through its Speaker, Mike Johnson to urgently pass the House Resolutions H.Res. 860, Rep. Chris Smith, H.Res. 866, Rep. Riley Moore both of which recognize the ongoing killings as Christian Genocide, seek to document atrocities, support President Trump’s intervention, demand accountability and call for action to protect the displaced. "Mr. Speaker — history will remember what happens next. Let the House stand with the persecuted", the group held.

The Nigerian group called for what it termed "full CPC enforcement: We demand: • Sanctions • Visa bans • Asset freezes • Criminal referrals …against any Nigerian political figure, military officer, security official, or financier involved in: • Terror sponsorship • Covering up massacres • Protecting killers • Profiting from stolen crude oil • Profiting from blood minerals. • Benefiting from mass displacement Blood money must not continue flowing through American banks or global markets.”

The group further called for the immediate release of Mr Sunday Jackson who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of Nigeria for killing a Fulani herdsman who attacked him in his farm in self defense.

"Sunday Jackson — a Christian farmer who defended his community from terrorists — now sits on death row. The killers walk free. The defender awaits execution. We demand: “Free Sunday Jackson. Drop the charges. Protect defenders — not terrorists”, they maintained.

The group contended that its stand is not from the point of anger but one "in righteous conviction. The Word of God commands: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” — Psalm 82:3, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter” — Proverbs 24:11, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” — Matthew 5:6, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” — John 1:5. We are here because we are called. We speak because we cannot be silent. We stand because millions cannot stand for themselves, the group pointed out.

"We are not asking America to fight our battle. We are asking America to stand for the values it already claims: Freedom, Human dignity, Truth, Justice, The sanctity of every life. Let the world hear us from the Capitol steps: NOT ON OUR WATCH. NOT IN OUR GENERATION. NOT WHILE WE STILL HAVE A VOICE. God bless Nigeria. God bless America. And God bless every soul fighting for truth and justice, the Save Nigeria Group concluded in their address.”

A select number of members of the group including victims/survivors of terror later held a two-hour closed door meeting with U.S diplomats at the request of the U.S State Department, discussing sensitive issues.

It was part of several days of intense activity on Nigeria in the U.S. capital that included a closed door joint committee executive session, individual Congressional and State Department meetings and a statement by the Secretary of State on visa sanctions.

The case of Sunday Jackson’s pardon continues to gain global momentum and international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe who also featured at the rally, confirmed that he’ll be meeting with Rep Riley Moore next week to fully brief him as his counsel.

Update news