I’ll Protect Christians, Muslims, Other Faiths, Olawepo-Hashim Tells US Congress

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the presidential candidate of the Accord Party

Editorial: A Call for Inclusive Religious Freedom in Nigeria

In the article“I’ll Protect Christians, Muslims, Other Faiths, Olawepo-Hashim Tells US Congress,” Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the presidential candidate of the Accord Party, presents a vision of Nigeria in which the protection of religious freedom is not merely a constitutional obligation but a crucial element of national security, stability, and peacebuilding.

Addressing the United States Congress and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through a policy brief submitted ahead of a hearing on Nigeria, Olawepo-Hashim argued that safeguarding the rights of all religious communities must occupy a central place in efforts to prevent violence and resolve conflicts across the country.

A significant aspect of his message is the acknowledgment that Christians in parts of northern and central Nigeria have suffered serious persecution. He cited attacks on churches, killings of pastors, and the destruction of villages and communities as realities that cannot be ignored.

However, he also challenged what he considers an oversimplified interpretation of Nigeria's security challenges. According to him, portraying the crisis solely as a confrontation between Christians and Muslims fails to capture the full picture. He noted that Shia Muslims, minority Islamic sects, and even some Hausa Muslim communities have also experienced persecution and discrimination.

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The central argument of his policy position is that Nigeria's struggle should not be framed as a religious war between two major faiths. Instead, he contends that it is a broader struggle between innocent citizens and violent extremists. By adopting this perspective, he believes the nation can foster unity rather than deepen religious divisions.

Olawepo-Hashim further emphasized that religious freedom should be viewed not only through the lens of human rights but also as a strategic tool for conflict prevention. He reasoned that when citizens are unable to practice their faith freely, they feel marginalized and excluded. 

When perpetrators of violence are not held accountable, impunity flourishes. Such conditions, he warned, can encourage the formation of militias, which in turn create opportunities for extremist groups to recruit members and expand their influence.

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One of the most notable themes in his submission is the notion of equal protection. He argued that protecting a church in Plateau State, a Shia mosque in Kaduna State, and a Hausa cultural centre in Kebbi State should be regarded as equally important. In his view, defending every community's right to worship and preserve its identity is one of the most effective ways to prevent extremism from taking root.

The article also outlines a policy commitment. Should he be elected, Olawepo-Hashim pledged to develop and implement a National Policy Framework on Religious Freedom for Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism. 

The proposed framework would be aimed at strengthening religious tolerance, reducing sectarian tensions, and creating institutional mechanisms to address grievances before they evolve into violent conflicts.

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Ultimately, the article presents Olawepo-Hashim's belief that Nigeria's future security depends on inclusiveness rather than sectarian politics. His message to U.S. lawmakers and international observers is that every victim of religious persecution deserves protection, regardless of faith, and that national unity can only be sustained when Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other religions enjoy equal rights, justice, and security under the law.