‘Speak to Nigerians,’ Baba-Ahmed Tells Tinubu Amid US Military Threat

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former presidential adviser, has requested that President Bola Tinubu speak to the country about the latest military invasion threat made against Nigeria by US President Donald Trump.

Baba-Ahmed expressed concern that the president had 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 truly has capable advisers and understands the weight of his office,” he wrote. Ministers and their assistants should refrain from making statements at this time. The President should 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 are silent.

He also warned against the president’s plans to visit the US to meet with Trump, calling such a move “ill-advised.”

“Tinubu shouldn’t even consider traveling to the United States to see Trump at this crucial time. It will only make Nigeria’s reputation worse—like getting slapped and grinning back,” he said.

Thus, Baba-Ahmed called on the president to take decisive action.

He declared, “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.”

The Bola Tinubu government completely denied the prior report that Trump had threatened to send American military troops to Nigeria if the purported genocide against Christians was not stopped.

China, on the other hand, stated on Tuesday that it supports 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.”

In answer to inquiries over Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria, Ning made the statements.

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

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information, made it clear 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 militants have been neutralized and over 11,000 captives have been freed by President Tinubu’s administration since 2023. Nigeria is still willing to work with the United States on counterterrorism while emphasizing respect for each other’s sovereignty, he stated.

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

Trump reaffirmed on Wednesday night that if the purported persecution of Christians in Nigeria goes unchecked, he is prepared to take direct action.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” he declared. The United States cannot watch helplessly as such crimes take place there and in many other nations. We are prepared, willing, and able to save the world’s great Christian population!