Former presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, have remained silent amid the outrage that marred the United States President, Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria.
Naijaonpoint recall that Trump had, on Friday, designated Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concerns’, CPC, saying that Christians in the country are facing an existential threat.
Trump also called on American lawmakers to investigate the mass killing of Christians and threatened to send US forces into Nigeria to intervene in the alleged genocide.
While Trump’s move triggered panic among a cross-section of Nigerians, others seemed elated by the development.
However, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has vehemently denied the genocide claims, insisting that the deteriorating security situation does not target a particular religion.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, major national opposition leaders, especially Peter Obi and Atiku, who have consistently criticised Tinubu’s economic reforms, are yet to comment on the matter.
Similarly, El-Rufai and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who have been previously vocal on national issues, have remained silent.
A public affairs analyst, Moses Jibila, in an interview with Daily Post, attributed their silence to 2027 ambitions.
He said, “They are being careful because this is a very sensitive matter. They know the truth but because of their selfish interests, they won’t say anything.
“Someone like Atiku would prefer not to talk because he is going to be in trouble if he takes a stand on the issue.
“For example, Atiku cannot say there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, if he does that, the Christians will come for him and they will punish him through the ballots.
“And if he backs Trump, his Muslim brothers will come for him.
“The same way Obi and others are feeling. It is all about their selfish interests”.
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