Baba-Ahmed Calls on President Tinubu to Clarify Nigeria’s Stand on US Threat

President Bola Tinubu has been invited by former Presidential Advisor Hakeem Baba-Ahmed to speak to the country on the recent threat of a military invasion against Nigeria made by US President Donald Trump.

Baba-Ahmed expressed concern in a posting on his Facebook page on Thursday that the president had not yet personally addressed Nigerians about the incident.

Baba-Ahmed cautioned that the president’s silence conveys a concerning message about Nigerian leadership.

He stated, “President Tinubu ought to have addressed Nigerians by now if he genuinely has competent advisors and recognizes the gravity of his position. Ministers and their assistants should not be making statements at this time. The President should personally reassure the nation, explain our stance, and lay out the actions his administration plans to take. We seem helpless and weak when we are silent.

He also warned against any plans for the president to visit the US to meet with Trump, calling such a move foolish.

“Tinubu shouldn’t even consider traveling to America to see Trump at this crucial juncture. Like getting slapped and grinning back, it would only make Nigeria’s reputation worse,” he said.

As a result, Baba-Ahmed called on the president to take decisive action.

“Tinubu needs to act right away—appoint ambassadors, rebuild Nigeria’s diplomatic presence, and address the nation directly if he truly listens to those who care about this country,” he declared.

The Bola Tinubu administration completely denied the prior reports that Trump had threatened to send American armed forces to Nigeria if the purported genocide against Christians was not halted.

China, however, stated on Tuesday that it is in favor of Nigeria and that it rejects any foreign meddling under the pretense of human rights or religion.

At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “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.”

Ning made the comments in response to inquiries over Trump’s military action threat in Nigeria.

Its inclusion on the U.S. list of nations that violate religious freedom was rejected by the Federal Government on Wednesday, claiming that the designation is due to “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of the country’s security issues.

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information, stated that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence and that terrorism, not religious persecution, is Nigeria’s problem.

“The administration denies allegations of oppression based on religion. The administration of President Tinubu has killed more than 13,500 insurgents and freed over 11,000 hostages since 2023. He emphasized mutual respect for sovereignty and stated that Nigeria is still willing to work with the United States on counterterrorism.

Nigeria continues to place a high priority on national security and “the protection of all citizens regardless of religious affiliation,” the minister continued.

Trump reaffirmed Wednesday night that if the purported persecution of Christians in Nigeria goes unchecked, he will take immediate action.

He declared, “In Nigeria, Christianity faces an existential threat.” As such crimes occur there and in many other countries, the United States cannot watch helplessly. We are prepared, eager, and capable of saving the vast majority of Christians worldwide!