Kwankwaso urges U.S. to support Nigeria’s security efforts, not threaten military action
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential hopeful of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has appealed to the United States government to assist Nigeria with modern security technology rather than issue threats of military intervention.
His reaction followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and accusing the government of failing to protect Christians from extremist violence.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Kwankwaso called for partnership and collaboration rather than confrontation.
“The United States should be helping Nigeria by providing advanced security technology to combat terrorism and banditry, instead of making statements that could worsen divisions within our country,” he said.
The NNPP leader emphasised that Nigeria’s security problems are complex and cannot be reduced to a religious conflict.
According to him, criminal attacks in the country cut across ethnic, political, and religious lines.
“Our nation is confronting criminal violence from groups that target everyone, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
”These challenges demand cooperation and understanding, not threats,” he added.
President Trump, in a social media post last Friday, accused Nigerian authorities of turning a blind eye to what he described as “mass killings of Christians” by radical groups.
He claimed Christianity was under siege in Nigeria and hinted at the possibility of deploying U.S. troops if the situation persisted.
“If the Nigerian government refuses to act, the United States will halt all aid and could intervene militarily to eliminate these terrorists,” Trump declared, adding that he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.
The statement, which has drawn mixed reactions globally, has raised concerns about the tone of Washington’s engagement with Africa’s largest democracy.
Kwankwaso urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to respond through diplomatic channels rather than escalate tensions.
He also proposed the appointment of special envoys and permanent ambassadors to strengthen Nigeria’s representation in key foreign capitals.
“This is a time for Nigeria to show unity and maturity. We must engage constructively with the United States and other partners to address our internal security problems,” the NNPP stalwart advised.
In a swift response, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s assertion of religious persecution, insisting that Nigeria upholds the right of every citizen to worship freely.
According to the president, the claim that Nigeria is religiously intolerant does not reflect the nation’s reality.
“Our constitution guarantees freedom of belief and religion. Nigeria remains a diverse yet united democracy where tolerance is not only a virtue but a necessity,” Tinubu said in a statement released by his office.
Political analysts and diplomats have urged both nations to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and focus on collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Legal expert Wahab Shittu also called on the Nigerian government to engage the U.S. administration through dialogue, warning that military threats could strain relations between the two countries.
