The Presidency has declared that President Bola Tinubu anticipated and prepared for what it termed the “orchestrated game” unfolding in the United States. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated this on Sunday in response to recent remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Trump had designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on Friday. He cited what he described as persistent violence against Christians and the government’s alleged failure to protect religious minorities.
The Nigerian government has consistently denied any knowledge or practice of religious persecution against any group within the country.
Trump Threatens Military Action
The rhetoric escalated on Saturday when President Trump publicly threatened Nigeria with potential military action. This threat was conditioned on Nigeria’s failure to act decisively to halt the claimed killings of Christians.
Reacting to this heightened threat, Onanuga quoted a key excerpt from President Tinubu’s recent address to newly appointed service chiefs. He highlighted that Tinubu had already stressed the need for proactive and decisive security measures across the nation.
Tinubu’s Directive to Security Chiefs
Onanuga wrote that President Tinubu was “well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America” when he addressed the new service chiefs. The president’s message emphasized results over excuses:
- Evolving Threats: “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating.”
- New Dangers: Tinubu cited the “recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.”
- Decisive Action: “We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
- Expectation of Results: “Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” the President instructed, charging the armed forces to act with patriotic zeal.
- Innovation: Tinubu further charged the service chiefs to “be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous.” He stressed the need to deploy technology to stay ahead of those who threaten peace.
Diplomatic Engagement Planned
The threat of military action against Nigeria by President Trump is generating strong reactions both domestically and internationally.
There are growing calls for President Tinubu to immediately engage seasoned diplomats. The goal is to initiate steps toward peacefully resolving the escalating diplomatic crisis.
President Tinubu has already rejected the U.S. designation, affirming that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and that the claims do not reflect the national reality.
The Presidency has announced that President Tinubu will soon hold a meeting with his U.S. counterpart to resolve these claims.
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