Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened potential military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi described Trump’s comments as “alarming” and urged both countries to pursue diplomatic engagement to prevent a crisis.
“The recent pronouncement by the U.S. government declaring Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) and indicating possible military action should give every well-meaning Nigerian serious concern,” Obi wrote.
Trump, in an explosive message on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, claimed that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Nigeria and directed the Pentagon to prepare “a possible plan of attack” should the Nigerian government fail to stop the killings.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump declared.
Reacting, Obi acknowledged Nigeria’s worsening insecurity but warned that external threats were not a viable solution.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented level of insecurity with attendant carnage and the most shocking loss of lives and property,” he said, referencing Amnesty International’s report that over 10,000 people have been killed in the country since May 2023.
He condemned what he described as the “unwarranted and unprovoked killing of Nigerians,” stressing that the crisis could have been prevented with effective and responsible governance.
“While the insecurity did not start with the present government, what is most unfortunate is the lack of competence, commitment, prudent use of resources, patriotism and passion on the part of the APC-led government to effectively govern, galvanise and lead Nigeria where no one is unwarrantedly oppressed and killed — a nation where peace, truth and justice reign,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State Governor emphasised that Nigeria and the United States share historic ties rooted in democracy, peace, and security, and said such relationships should not be endangered by inflammatory rhetoric or threats.
“The present situation calls for constructive diplomatic and other plausible engagements by both nations aimed at addressing the prevailing and disturbing security concerns. Both countries must work in concert and expeditiously towards that purpose,” he added.
Obi’s comments came shortly after President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s claims of a “Christian genocide,” reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and constitutional democracy.
