The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described recent threats by US President Donald Trump to launch a military operation in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians as deeply troubling, warning that the development “should give every Nigerian serious concern.”
Obi stated this in a post on X on Monday, reacting to Trump’s remarks on Truth Social in which the US president claimed to have directed the Pentagon to map out a possible plan of attack on Nigeria. Trump had accused the Nigerian government of allowing widespread killings of Christians, warning that any US response would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Expressing alarm over the US designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, Obi urged both nations to engage diplomatically to de-escalate tensions and address the underlying security issues.
“The recent pronouncement by the US government declaring Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and indicating possible military action should give every well-meaning Nigerian serious concern,” Obi said.
He lamented Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, citing Amnesty International’s report that over 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023, describing the loss of lives and property as “unwarranted, unprovoked, and avoidable with competent leadership.”
Obi criticised the APC-led administration for failing to tackle insecurity effectively, blaming what he called “the absence of competence, commitment, prudent resource use, patriotism, and passion” in governance.
“While insecurity did not start with the present government, the lack of effective leadership has worsened the crisis,” he said. “Nigeria should be a nation where no one is unwarrantedly oppressed or killed — a nation where peace, truth, and justice reign.”
The former Anambra governor emphasised that Nigeria and the United States, as long-standing democracies and strategic partners, must work together constructively to address the current tensions.
“The situation calls for diplomatic and constructive engagement by both nations aimed at addressing the prevailing security concerns. Both countries must act in concert and with urgency,” he concluded.
