Accord Party presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has drawn international attention to the plight of approximately 3.68 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, calling for a broader response to religious persecution, ethnic discrimination and insecurity.
Hashim made the appeal during an engagement with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), where he also called for the release of Hausa cultural activist, Maisango, whom he said was being unlawfully detained.
He further highlighted reports of attacks and the burning of 11 villages in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, urging the international community to pay greater attention to the affected communities.
Speaking during the engagement on Friday, Hashim acknowledged that Christians in Northern Nigeria face persecution but argued that the country’s religious freedom challenges extend beyond the Christian-Muslim divide.
He cited the alleged persecution of Muslim minorities, including Shia Muslims and minority sects within the broader Shiite community, as well as discrimination and exclusion faced by some Hausa Muslim communities.
According to him, Nigeria’s religious freedom crisis also involves discrimination within Muslim communities, where ethnic identity and cultural affiliation can influence religious and social acceptance.
Hashim particularly raised concerns about what he described as the marginalisation of Hausa Muslims in parts of Northern Nigeria, saying some communities experience unequal treatment despite sharing the same Islamic faith with other groups.
The Accord Party candidate also called for the immediate release of Maisango, alleging that the cultural activist had remained in detention without trial despite reportedly being dismissed from his employment with the Department of State Services (DSS).
He stressed the need for due process and respect for fundamental human rights.
On the humanitarian situation, Hashim cited approximately 3.68 million internally displaced Nigerians, based on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) figures as of October 2026.
He argued that the displacement crisis cuts across religious and ethnic boundaries, adding that the experiences of displaced Hausa communities deserve greater international recognition.
He specifically referred to attacks on communities in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, including Kalkami, Tungar Bori and Kawara.
Reports of the April 2026 attacks indicated that suspected bandits killed residents, set buildings ablaze and forced people to flee their homes.
Hashim said reports that 11 villages were burnt in the area required sustained international attention. He alleged that some armed groups operating in the region were more interested in killing residents, destroying settlements and taking control of territory than in religious conversion.
He also criticised what he described as the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities and decisively confront armed groups.
The presidential candidate warned that Nigeria must prevent further deterioration of its security and religious freedom situation as the country approaches another political transition.
He further accused the present administration of failing to ensure adequate accountability, alleging that political interests had weakened the government’s response to terrorism and other forms of armed violence.
The United States designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern in October 2025, following earlier recommendations by USCIRF, which also called for the designation in its 2026 recommendations.
Hashim maintained that international attention should recognise all victims of religious and ethnic persecution rather than focus on one religious community.
He called for a comprehensive approach that considers the experiences of Christians, Shia Muslims, Hausa communities and other vulnerable populations, while holding state institutions responsible for protecting constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The Accord Party presidential candidate commended the commission for its work on religious freedom in Nigeria and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s interest in the issue.
He described religious freedom as an essential democratic right, stating that “religious freedom is an intrinsic part of democratic right”.
