The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called for greater international intervention in Nigeria’s humanitarian and security crises, drawing attention to an estimated 3.68 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Olawepo-Hashim made the appeal during an engagement with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Friday, where he raised concerns about religious persecution, ethnic discrimination and insecurity across the country.

He also called for the immediate release of Hausa cultural activist, Maisango, whom he alleged was being detained unlawfully without trial.

The presidential candidate acknowledged that Christians in Northern Nigeria faced persecution but argued that religious intolerance and discrimination also affected other groups, including Shia Muslims, minority Islamic sects and Hausa Muslim communities.

He maintained that Nigeria’s religious freedom challenges extended beyond the conventional Christian-Muslim divide, noting that ethnic identity and cultural affiliation could also influence how individuals and communities were treated.

Olawepo-Hashim specifically raised concerns about the alleged marginalisation of Hausa Muslims in parts of Northern Nigeria, arguing that some communities experienced unequal treatment despite sharing the same religious beliefs with other groups.

On Maisango’s detention, he alleged that the activist remained in custody without trial despite reportedly having been dismissed from his employment with the Department of State Services (DSS).

He urged the authorities to release him, stressing the importance of due process and respect for fundamental human rights.

Citing United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) figures as of October 2026, Olawepo-Hashim said Nigeria had approximately 3.68 million internally displaced persons, adding that the humanitarian crisis affected people across religious and ethnic boundaries.

He also drew attention to reported attacks on communities in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, including Kalkami, Tungar Bori and Kawara.

According to him, suspected bandits attacked the communities in April 2026, killing residents, setting buildings ablaze and forcing families to flee their homes. He said reports that 11 villages had been burnt in the area required sustained international attention.

He further alleged that some armed groups operating in the region were more focused on killing residents, destroying settlements and taking control of territory than pursuing religious conversion.

The Accord candidate criticised what he described as the government's failure to adequately protect vulnerable communities and decisively confront armed groups, warning that the country's security and religious freedom challenges must not worsen ahead of another political transition.

He also faulted what he considered inadequate accountability under the present administration, alleging that political considerations had weakened efforts to tackle terrorism and other forms of armed violence.

Olawepo-Hashim recalled that the United States designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern in October 2025 over religious freedom concerns, following earlier recommendations by USCIRF.

He urged the international community to recognise victims of religious and ethnic persecution across all communities, rather than focus on one religious group at the expense of others.

He commended the commission for its work on religious freedom in Nigeria and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s interest in the issue, describing religious freedom as an intrinsic part of democratic rights.