THE Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, describing the statement as misleading and disrespectful to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Speaking during a media chat yesterday, Soludo said Nigeria’s security issues were far more complex than a simple religious conflict, adding that Trump’s remarks distorted the realities on the ground.
He argued that while foreign assistance is sometimes necessary, it must come through formal diplomatic requests—not through external threats.
“If Nigeria needs help, it should be through an official request for military support, technology, or equipment,” he said.
Drawing a parallel to racial tensions in the United States, Soludo questioned the logic of Trump’s stance.
“During the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Africans didn’t threaten to invade America because Black people were being killed by police. Why, then, should the U.S. consider invading Nigeria over internal challenges?” he asked.
The governor emphasised that dialogue and inclusive governance remain the only sustainable path toward resolving Nigeria’s internal conflicts.
“We must have deeper conversations about our national issues,” he noted. “The Nigerian government is already working hard to protect its citizens.”
Soludo added that while the U.S. is entitled to its opinions, any action it takes must be consistent with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Trump had earlier announced on his Truth Social platform that he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria, claiming the country allows “mass killings” of Christians by Islamist groups.
He also warned that the U.S. would cut off all aid to Nigeria if the government failed to act, declaring that any attack by the U.S. would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
In response, President Bola Tinubu rejected Trump’s claims, asserting that Nigeria is not religiously intolerant and that acts of violence in the country target all faiths indiscriminately.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, later hinted that both leaders might soon meet to discuss the issue, either in Abuja or Washington.
“The differences in perception, if any, will be addressed when the two presidents meet,” Bwala said on X.
Trump’s comments have drawn widespread criticism across Africa, with observers accusing him of overstepping diplomatic boundaries and misrepresenting Nigeria’s internal security realities.