A Save the Persecuted Christians Webinar

Nigeria’s Descent into Chaos

How the Loss of Election Integrity Emboldens Terrorists

As citizens demand answers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the wake of Nigeria’s highly suspect presidential and parliamentary elections, and in advance of gubernatorial elections in 36 states this weekend, Muslim Fulani militants have increased attacks on multiple Christian communities, killing dozens and driving thousands from their homes and villages in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and elsewhere.

Fulani militants, emboldened by the current political chaos and desperate to ensure the election of leaders they believe will continue to provide cover for their atrocities, have threatened citizens with even more mayhem should their gubernatorial candidates fail at the polls.

This STPC webinar features expert panelists including Nigerian and American citizens endeavoring to help Nigeria’s ever-growing population of internally displaced people and the innocent orphans left in the wake of the violence. They will also discuss what Americans and our government should be doing to help end the violence and provide for the needs of the afflicted.

MODERATOR:

• Frank Gaffney: President and CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians

PANELISTS:

• Eric Ueland: former Acting Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights; Served in the Trump White House as Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs;  current Commissioner for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom but joins us in his personal capacity as a member of the 2023 IRI-NDI Nigeria election observer mission – Topic: Observations on the Nigerian Elections and What it Portends for the People of Nigeria
• Douglas Burton: Douglas Burton is a former U.S. State Department official who was stationed in Kirkuk, Iraq. He writes news and commentary from Washington, D.C. now reporting in focus on Nigeria; coordinator of Rural Watch, a group of Nigerian independent journalists reporting on the ground from Nigeria – Topic: Election Fallout and Signs the Terrorists have been Emboldened
• Rev. Ihyula Remigius: Catholic Diocese of Makurdi Director of the Foundation of Justice and Peace in Benue State; acts as a first responder for reporting on attacks in Benue – Topic: Benue’s IDP Camps Are Full to the Brim – Who Will Hear the Cry of the Poor?
• Pastor Greg Tweddell: Pastor of Ignition 633 operating a mission in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria serving the needs of Benue’s Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) – Topic: Ministering to the Victims of Violence and Expanding Christ’s Kingdom in Benue and Jos – What Can Be Done?
• Bamshak Dawger: Orphanage Founder & Director, Seeds of Hope, Jos, Nigeria – Topic: Picking Up the Pieces and Building Hope and a Future for the Orphans of Nigeria
• Gloria Puldu: President of the Leah Foundation in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria serving vulnerable women and girls – Topic: The Impact of Violence on the Lives of Women and Girls in Nigeria
• Pastor Akila Yusuf: Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and supervisor of affiliated churches in North Eastern Nigeria ; founder, The Cutting Edge Network, inspiring and empowering pastors to transform their lives, their churches and communities and serving needs for IDPs and other vulnerable people – Topic: Engaging Nigerian Church Leaders to Serve the Least Among Us
• Judd Saul: President of Equipping the Persecuted, a ministry dedicated to serving the persecuted people of Nigeria; founder of an orphanage in Nigeria – Topic: How American Citizens and Others Can Equip the Needs of Persecuted People and Help Shelter the Innocent
• Dede Laugesen: Executive Director, Save the Persecuted Christians; recent traveler to Makurdi in Benue State and Jos in Plateau State – Topic: Christians Starving in Nigeria’s Breadbasket – Topic: In the Breadbasket of Nigeria, Children are Starving – Why Doesn’t the World Respond?
• Drew Bowling: Advisor for the International Catholic Legislators Network Washington DC Office and Global Coalitions and Policy Advisor; Director of Coalitions at Belmont Abbey College; independent contractor for government relations, strategic communications, and coalition building; former Senior Advisor to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry – Topic: Resolving to Hold the Persecutors Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity – What Can Be Done?