By: Sunday Ameh
Tension has continued to rise across the country as the Presidency confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will meet with United States President Donald Trump in the coming days to address growing allegations of a targeted genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Tinubu, disclosed the planned meeting, noting that both leaders are expected to discuss recent claims and work toward strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Trump recently accused the Nigerian government of ignoring attacks on Christians, a statement that has generated widespread reactions locally and internationally. He also warned that the U.S. would no longer remain silent on the situation.
Bwala, however, maintained that President Tinubu has made significant progress in counter-terrorism efforts, pointing out that Nigeria has benefitted from U.S. military support authorized by Trump in the past.
“Both President Bola Tinubu and President Donald Trump share a commitment to combating insurgency and terrorism in all forms,” Bwala said. “President Trump assisted Nigeria by approving arms sales, and President Tinubu has maximized that support to achieve noticeable results.”
He added that any differences in perception regarding whether attacks in Nigeria are targeted at Christians alone or cut across faiths will be addressed during the meeting, which may hold at the State House in Abuja or at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore issued a stern warning to Nigeria over what he described as escalating persecution of Christians, urging the Nigerian government to act swiftly “to prevent worsening atrocities.”
Reacting to the development, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, cautioned Nigerians against viewing Trump as a potential savior. According to him, foreign military intervention has historically worsened crises in many countries.
“The threat by Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria may sound appealing to some, but history has shown such actions to be dangerous,” Sowore said. “Nigeria does not need foreign intervention; it needs accountable leadership that protects all its citizens.”
He added that peace and national renewal must come from within and not through external military pressure.
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