UK MPs urge Starmer to question Tinubu on Christian killings

Members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament have called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to confront President Bola Tinubu over the killing of Christians in Nigeria during the Nigerian leader’s upcoming state visit to the UK.

President Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, is set to be hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, attending a state banquet as guests of honour. He will then meet with Starmer at Downing Street on Thursday, marking the first Nigerian presidential state visit to the UK in 37 years.

MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) have written to Development Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman, urging the UK government to press Tinubu on human rights protection in Nigeria, according to the Daily Mail.

The group’s chairman, Jim Shannon of the Democratic Unionist Party, said Nigeria must “take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.”

The letter, signed by 209 MPs and peers, expressed concern that the Nigerian state has not treated attacks on Christians with sufficient seriousness. The MPs also demanded that the Nigerian government provide updates on the case of Leah Sharibu, one of 110 schoolgirls kidnapped in 2018.

APPG FoRB further urged Sir Keir Starmer to make human rights obligations central to all future diplomatic, security, and trade discussions with Nigeria. The group requested a response from Baroness Chapman ahead of Tinubu’s visit.

Separately, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, may raise human rights concerns with Mrs. Tinubu while hosting the Nigerian First Lady at Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

Mrs. Tinubu, a pastor while her husband is Muslim, will attend a prayer service and is expected to preach. She will also meet representatives from the Church of England and faith-based charities supporting Nigeria, including Christian Aid, at a reception at Lambeth Palace. (Punch)