- Opposition behind U.S. allegation, says Wike
A counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said yesterday that Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a complete military lockdown along the Nigerian border after intelligence suggested that terrorist elements from Northern Nigeria were preparing to flee into his country.
Makama, who quoted military sources in N’Djamena, said the Chadian Army had been placed on red alert, with troops and armoured vehicles deployed across key border corridors linking the two countries.
According to him, the Chadian leader warned that “no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise.”
Wike: opposition behind U.S allegation
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, blamed the opposition leaders for Trump’s claim of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
But he did not name any of the opposition leaders when he spoke on a national television yesterday.
He said: “It is very obvious, and I have said this. The problem we have today is that Mr President’s own nature of politics, you can see the collapse of the opposition.
“It will be difficult for anybody. The opposition today has seen that no party is prepared to challenge the President returning to power.
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“What do we do? Should we allow him to just go in like that without challenges?
‘’We must do something, and one of the things to do is bring up such a thing that will divide the country.
Wike said the narrative of genocide under Tinubu’s administration is “politics taken too far.”
“It is an indictment that a government I am serving, anybody will allege that that government is supporting genocide, killing of Christians, and I am still in that government.
“This is politics taken too far. The Inspector General of Police is a Christian, the Directorate of State Service (DSS) is a Christian, and the Chief of Defence (Staff) is a Christian.
“Tell me how any right-thinking person will think that we will sit in a government and support the killing of our own people?” the minister asked.
According to Wike, the killings of Nigerians in any part of the country do not bring joy to any Nigerian leader.
Asked if he was worried about Trump making good his threat, Wike declined to categorically reply.
Weighing in on whether Trump was playing politics, he said: “There could be some misinformation or distortion. It’s unfortunate.”
Obi urges diplomatic engagement
Former Anmabra State Governor Peter Obi called for constructive diplomatic engagement and any other plausible engagement between Nigeria and the US to address the prevailing security challenges.
Citing the long-standing partnership between both countries and their commitment to regional peace and security, Obi advised that the ties should not falter.
According to him, Trump’s pronouncement should give every well-meaning Nigerian serious concern.
Akpabio denies criticising Trump
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied criticising President Trump for designating Nigeria as CPC and proposing to send troops to take out terrorists in Nigeria.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said he never made the statement credited to him on social media.
The statement partly reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious and completely fabricated post published by a platform called Rant HQ, falsely attributing a reckless and imaginary statement to the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio .
“The post which reads, ‘The killing is taking place in Nigeria not in USA, Trump should focus on US. Nigerians are not complaining about the killings, we are fully satisfied with the condition of Nigeria’ is a total falsehood, a product of mischief, and a desperate attempt to incite misunderstanding between Senator Godswill Akpabio and U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its international partners.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senate President never made such a statement — not publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation. We challenge the publishers of this falsehood to produce a single shred of evidence to the contrary.
“The accompanying photograph, which shows the Senate President at an official event alongside other Senators, has been deceptively used to lend false credibility to a fabricated quote that was never uttered by him.
“Senator Akpabio is a statesman of global repute and a respected advocate of international friendship, diplomacy, and mutual respect among nations. He holds President Donald Trump in high regard as a historic figure and a leader of a great nation.
“He would never comment on internal matters of the United States, nor issue any statement that falls within the exclusive domain of Nigeria’s Executive arm of government or the nation’s foreign policy establishment.
“This malicious post is, therefore, a clear act of digital recklessness and a deliberate attempt to sow confusion, tarnish reputations, and inflame unnecessary diplomatic sentiments.
“We urge the public to ignore this falsehood in its entirety.
“We warn Rant HQ and others who trade in misinformation to desist from peddling unverified and fabricated stories just to chase online traffic. Freedom of expression is not freedom to lie.”
ADC seeks support for democratic institutions
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) cautioned against any form of external military intervention because it would be counterproductive and damaging to the country’s democracy.
In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the U.S. president’s designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern reflected the growing international alarm about the scale of violence and human rights violations in the country.
However, it urged that such concern should translate into genuine support for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and capacity to find homegrown solutions to its challenges.
Claim of persecution exaggerated, says cleric
The Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Akure Diocese, Most Rev. Simeon Borokini, has described as exaggerated the claim by United States President Donald Trump, alleging the widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Bishop Borokini said the insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims alike. He spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He said contrary to Trump’s claim, there is no targeted killing of Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the North.
According to him, attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and armed herdsmen have affected both Christians and Muslims.
Group calls for diplomatic resolution
A group, Yoruba Council Worldwide(YCW) has called for the removal of Nigeria from the list of countries of security concerns.
The group, through its President, Oladokun Hassan, a lawyer, while addressing reporters at the palace of Ooni of Ife, called for an amicable diplomatic resolution of the United States’ security concerns regarding Trump’s claims.
He said American President should not castigate the Federal Government, but the claim should be a positive international intervention extended to nations battling terrorism.
“We urge the United States to remove Nigeria from the list of countries of security concern and instead provide Nigeria with modern technological and military support such as drones, tanks, aircraft, and missile launch systems similar to the assistance extended to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.”
