President Bola Tinubu has been requested to speak to the country on the latest threat of a military invasion by US President Donald Trump against Nigeria by former Presidential Advisor Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
Baba-Ahmed expressed concern that the president has not yet personally addressed Nigerians about the incident in a statement he shared on his Facebook page on Thursday.
The president’s silence, according to Baba-Ahmed, conveys a concerning message about Nigeria’s leadership.
“President Tinubu should have spoken to Nigerians by now if he genuinely has capable advisers and understands the weight of his office,” he wrote. Ministers and their assistants should not make statements at this time. The President himself ought to comfort the nation, explain our stance, and lay out the actions his administration plans to take. We come across as weak and aimless when we remain silent.
He also warned against any plans for the president to visit the US to meet with Trump, calling such a move “ill-advised.”
“Tinubu should not even consider traveling to America to see Trump at this crucial time. He said, “It would only make Nigeria’s reputation worse—like getting slapped and grinning in return.”
Therefore, Baba-Ahmed called on the president to take decisive action.
He declared, “Tinubu needs to take immediate action to appoint ambassadors, rebuild Nigeria’s diplomatic presence, and address the nation directly if he truly listens to those who care about this country.”
The Bola Tinubu government completely denied the prior reports that Trump had threatened to send American military troops to Nigeria if the purported genocide against Christians was not halted.
China, on the other hand, stated on Tuesday that it supports Nigeria and that it is against any foreign meddling under the pretense of human rights or religion.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a press conference in Beijing, “As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.”
In answer to inquiries over Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria, Ning made the statements.
On Wednesday, the Federal Government objected to its position on the U.S. list of nations that violate religious freedom, claiming that the designation is based on “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of the country’s security issues.
Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information, highlighted that extremist violence has affected both Christians and Muslims and that the country is dealing with terrorism rather than religious persecution.
“Claims of targeted religious persecution are refuted by the government. Over 13,500 insurgents have been neutralized and over 11,000 captives have been freed since 2023 by President Tinubu’s administration. He stated that Nigeria is still willing to work with the United States on counterterrorism while emphasizing respect for each other’s sovereignty.
Nigeria still places a high priority on national security and “the protection of all citizens regardless of religious affiliation,” the minister continued.
Trump reaffirmed on Wednesday night that if the purported persecution of Christians in Nigeria goes unchecked, he will take immediate action.
“There is an existential threat to Christianity in Nigeria,” he declared. The United States cannot watch helplessly as similar crimes are committed there and in many other nations. We are prepared, willing, and able to rescue the world’s great Christian population!
