The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has claimed responsibility for influencing the ongoing “Christian genocide in Nigeria” narrative currently being discussed in the United States Congress.

Acting Prime Minister of BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the group had been a key behind-the-scenes player in shaping U.S. lawmakers’ views on the situation in Nigeria.

Nkere, who assumed leadership following the conviction of BRGIE leader Simon Ekpa in Finland, said she had personally met with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and other congressional members over the past year to push for international recognition of alleged religious persecution in Nigeria and the Biafra region.

“The discussion of Christian genocide in Nigeria by the U.S. Congress is not accidental. We have promoted this narrative. It is a highly orchestrated effort,” Nkere stated.

According to her, BRGIE’s lobbying efforts led to Senator Ted Cruz’s introduction of legislation S.2747 – the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks sanctions against the Nigerian government and specific officials accused of persecuting Christians.

Nkere praised Senator Cruz for what she called “stellar leadership,” adding that BRGIE and Biafrans worldwide view his actions as a “game-changer” that has “put the Nigerian government on notice.”

She also warned that BRGIE would not hesitate to provide names of alleged perpetrators to U.S. authorities, emphasizing that the group’s long-term goal is to legitimize international discussions around the creation of an independent Biafra.

“The promotion of the Christian genocide narrative will normalize the idea, both to the U.S. and to the international community, of a separate country for a bulk of Nigeria’s Christians, which we refer to as Biafra,” Nkere said.

Her comments come after Senator Ted Cruz accused the Nigerian government of being complicit in the killing of over 50,000 Christians since 2009, a claim that has sparked widespread controversy.

In response, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed the allegation as false and misleading, insisting that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. The National Assembly has also rejected the narrative, calling it an attempt to misrepresent Nigeria’s internal security challenges to the international community.