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Trump’s threat of war with Nigeria

Imagine a deranged & sociopathic meglomaniac & tyrant, a recalcitrant and unrepentant schoolyard and dockside bully and a cheap and shameless godless scumbag like President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump threatening our country with violence, military action and invasion. What a nerve!

Permit me to put the matter in context. A friend of mine sent the following words to me last night after reading his threat of war & military action.

She wrote,

“How I wish we can simply ignore this petulant man spewing utter childish rubbish all over the place. They can categorise us as they like, that is on them and there is nothing we can do OR ought to do about that. He should bring it on. Let them send their troops and let us see. The same Islamic Terrorists that THEY FUNDED to destroy us. Serves us right, We had the CHANCE to stand and be counted on the right side of history, before God with the genocide that is been committed by Israel and funded & supported by America. For all its worth, South Africa STOOD & REPRESENTED. We were nowhere to be seen or heard. AND YET look at this!”

She concluded by saying the following,

“it is not his fault or the Americans’ fault, it is SOLELY ours. I pray this is a wake-up call for us as leaders, as a nation & Africans. These people are NOT our friends, have never been & will never be; neither should we tolerate having them as our masters, or elders!”

I concur with this deeply courageous lady who has said it as it is. Frankly I couldn’t have put it better myself.

My response to her was as follows.

“You are right. They are evil and, if he carries out his abominable threat, there will be a war. We shall not leave the country but we will fight it out with them. We behaved like cowards and allowed them to demonise us with no response. I do not know what is wrong with Nigerians but this will be the greatest challenge they have ever faced and maybe after it is all over they will appreciate the importance of having bold, articulate and courageous leaders & disavow themselves of their accursed cowardice, ignorance, pettiness, weakness, envy & complacency”.

I meant every word.

Trump, a fascist & an associate of the globally recognized Hitler of the 21st century, Prime Minister Benjamin @netanyahu, has refused to call the Israeli Zionist Nazis and the UAE-backed RSF butchers of Darfur, Sudan mass murderers and genocidal maniacs but he is calling our people the “killers of Christians” and is desperately trying to label our nation with the genocide tag and create a crisis in Nigeria.

I am not surprised. Permit me to tell you why.

In my essay titled “Christian Genocide and the Danger of Mischaracterisation” which was published one week ago I wrote, inter alia, the following.

“Our Government must refuse to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the words of middle-ranking American Governnent officials who are not members of the MAGA inner circle & who do not truly represent the very hardline and extreeme views of the right-wing Christian fundamentalist & anti-Muslim forces that Trump holds dear. If they really want to know what Trump is thinking but has so far refused to voice about Nigeria it would be wise for our Government to consider the words of Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio, Senator Ted Cruz @SenTedCruz, Congressman Riley Moore @RepRileyMoore & Congressman Chris Smith far more than the soothing and encouraging words and expressions of support from “friendly faces” in the Trump administration who have deep ties with & a soft spot for Nigeria but who are not at the heart of the #MAGA power configuration like Trump’s Lebanese brother in-law and Special Advisor on African Affairs, Massad Boulus, @US_SenAdvisorAF. American doublespeak & subterfuge is an art and we must never take them for their word or drink from their poisoned chalice. As the Bible says “their speech is as smooth as butter but war is in their heart”.

Sadly our Government did not pay heed to my words & instead took the comforting words of Boulus as the position of Trump. How wrong they were!

What a profound miscalculation & grave error.

They succumbed to a sucker punch & two weeks later a devastating right cross was delivered to their chin.

I saw it coming but they didn’t.

This decisive blow came when Trump not only claimed that Nigeria is the most dangerous country for Christians to live in the world but also designated us as “a country of concern” falsely alleging that “more Christians are killed in Nigeria in one day than in the rest of the world put together”.

He also said that he intends to do “far more against Nigeria” and that “this is just the beginning”.

He proved his words by going a step further the following day by threatening to send military forces to our country & kill our people.

What he did not say but which is obvious is that a regime change orchestrated by them may also be on the cards.

That is their objective & desire. That is their style & modus. That is their character & nature.

That is their history and practice in foreign lands whose resources they covet & only a fool will deny it.

Yet it did not stop there.

On the same day Pete Hegseth @PeteHegseth, the American Secretary of War, went even further & threatened to launch air strikes & attacks on Nigeria to “protect our Christian brothers”.

This is the brazen threat & nonsensical rubbish that some in our midst have been cheering all night.

They forget that bombs & instruments of war when deployed by American-backed mercenaries, American proxies or American soldiers do not make any distinction between Christians & Muslims or ethnic groups.

Once they deploy, begin the carnage & the bombs begin to fly we shall ALL die or be displaced.

Worse of all those in high places that do not have the intelligence, knowledge or understanding to discern the grave implications of all this & gullible members of the Christian community in Nigeria that are applauding this absurd narrative and course of action will soon find out that we are being pushed the way of Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Congo, Gaza, Lebanon and Somalia only ours will be one hundred times worse.

As much as I despise them and their evil ways, I doff my hat to the Americans, the Zionists & their local collaborators and co-conspirators for achieving their devil-inspired & sinister purpose & pulling off this great evil all in an attempt to destabilise, destroy & divide our nation & push us into a religious war after which they will send in the monster @realErikDPrince

& what is left of his mercenary Blackwater Army to supposedly “protect Christians” but in reality to secure & steal our rare earth & vast mineral resources.

That is really what this is all about: the violent acquisition of our rare earth. Sadly most in our country just don’t get it.

It has nothing to do with religion & everything to do with re-colonising us, balkanising us & destroying us.

Our Government & our people must recognise this for what it is and rise to the challenge.

We must unite, close our ranks, bury our differences & jointly resist the bullies with contempt, defiance, faith & courage. They shall not conquer us & we shall never bow before them.

There is no doubt that both Muslims & Christians are being subjected to genocide by Western & Israeli backed terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Ansaru & ISWAP in our country.

This is a matter of concern & with no international support our security forces have made progress against them in the last two years.

Despite this @realDonaldTrump has threatened our nation with war & seeks to divide us on religious lines.

The Nigerians that are applauding him are ignorant & naive because you need to be a fool to believe that Trump genuinely cares about genocide or Christians.

If he did there would be no genocide of Christians and Muslims in Gaza, Darfur or Congo today.

He is interested in only one thing: sparking off a religious war in Nigeria & sending in his troops to bomb & occupy us & corner our rare earth, our oil reserves & our mineral resources.

That is the goal and the sooner our Government and people appreciate this the better.

Whatever your views and whichever side of the divide you stand on our nation has now been threatened with war and it is incumbent upon all sons and daughters of Nigeria to stand firm, prepare for it and defend our sovereignty and every inch of our sacred soil.

We may not have their weapons or money but we have God. Trump will not survive the wrath of the God of Nigeria and he will surely fail.

To be sure this is not about President Tinubu @officialABAT or his Government: it is about our fatherland and our people.

It is about our manifest destiny and our future which some seek to destroy and shatter.

It is about our self-respect, dignity, pride and honor.

It is about the preservation of our noble heritage.

No-one will shed our blood or “Gaza us” and escape it.

If attacked, by either Erik Prince’s CIA-backed private army of ruthless mercenaries or by American forces themselves, we must be ready to die fighting for our women, children, faith, dignity and nation.

To hell with the Yankee Nazis. We do not fear them and we will never bow before them.

They can choose not to help us to fight the terrorists that they sent to plague and destroy our land but they must NEVER threaten us with brazen acts of aggression, violence or an invasion.

We are a mighty nation with an ancient history of struggle and resilience.

We are a strong nation with the most formidable and remarkable people on earth who have excelled in all fields of human endeavour.

Despite the numerous challenges we face, by the power of God, we will fight back as best as we can and in the end we shall prevail.

We shall never be subjugated, broken, divided, decimated or enslaved.

Drop one bomb on our people, whether Christian or Muslim, and the fire of God will burn you, the Sword of the Lord will cut you and the plagues of of the Lord will afflict you.

It happened to Pharaoh, Sennacherub, Herod and Nebuchadnezzar and it will surely happen to you.

He shall deliver us from your evil because He is a God of justice and the oppressed. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Do your worse and let the Lord strike you down.

November 3, 2025
JUST IN: NSA Office to brief media on Trump’s genocide claim against Christians in Nigeria

The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and security chiefs will brief the media on Monday afternoon, The Nation learnt.

The briefing is in response to the threat by U.S President Donald Trump to send troops to deal with terrorists in Nigeria.

The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Lane Issa-Onilu disclosed this at the monthly National Joint Security Press Briefing aimed at updating the media on ongoing activities of government to contain insecurity and other vices.

Read Also: How Nigeria should respond to Trump’s action, by Oyebode, Ogunsanwo, Soremekun

Issa-Onilu said the briefing will provide adequate response to the allegations of genocide.

November 3, 2025
US Trump’s claim on Christian persecution in Nigeria exaggerated – Archbishop Borokini

The Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Akure Diocese, Most Rev. Simeon Borokini, has described as “exaggerated” the recent claim by United States President Donald Trump, alleging the widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Borokini, who faulted President Trump’s claim, said the insecurity in Nigeria affects both the Christians and Muslims alike.

Last Friday, President Trump announced the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) following global calls for action against what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians in the West African nation.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that Christians in Nigeria face an “existential threat,” blaming “radical Islamists” for the killings.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump wrote.

“Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern – but that is the least of it.”

The U.S. President’s comments have since sparked widespread reactions locally and internationally.

Speaking with The Nation in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Monday, Bishop Borokini said contrary to Trump’s claim there is no ongoing “genocide” 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.

“Well, I would say it’s been exaggerated because it is not only Christians that are being killed – both Christians and Muslims are victims.

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“These Boko Haram and herder attacks target not only Christians. I think what Trump is saying is an exaggeration. I don’t see it as genocide. It’s not Christians alone that are being persecuted or killed,” Bishop Borokini.

The Anglican Bishop condemned all forms of violence in the country, saying his faith does not support the killing of anyone, regardless of religion.

He urged the government to take decisive action against those perpetrating violence and to further strengthen national security.

“The government should do something about security. I condemn every form of killing – whether of Christians or Muslims,” he stated.

“President Tinubu has been trying in the past year, and some measures have been taken, but there is still room for improvement. Lives and property must be protected, and the government should remain conscious of this responsibility.”

Borokini also charged Christians and Muslims to hold firmly to their faiths, remain vigilant, and support government efforts to restore peace across the country.

November 3, 2025
Oba Akiolu faults Trump’s claims

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has strongly criticised President of United States, Donald Trump, over his claim that Christians are being killed in Nigeria.

Akiolu described the comment as incorrect and capable of creating unnecessary tension, insisting such remarks misrepresent Nigeria’s reality and unfairly portray the nation.

Speaking on Sunday in his palace after marking his 82nd birthday, the traditional ruler said Nigerians of different faiths had co-existed peacefully for decades.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims have shared communities, celebrations, and challenges, reinforcing unity in spite of occasional security issues.

According to him, criminal activities and terrorism in parts of the country are not directed at any religion but are acts of misguided individuals and groups.

He appealed to international leaders to verify information before issuing official statements, stressing that careless comments can damage Nigeria’s global image.

The traditional ruler said national unity remains essential, warning that Nigeria cannot afford internal division at a sensitive period of economic and security reforms.

He urged Nigerians to maintain peaceful coexistence and avoid allowing religion, ethnicity, or politics to create unnecessary conflict.

Akiolu also renewed his longstanding call for Lagos to be granted special recognition because of its huge population and central role in Nigeria’s economy.

He said the city had served as an economic powerhouse since the colonial era and continues to shoulder national responsibilities that demand federal support.

Read Also: Olusi names council secretariat in Oba Akiolu’s honour

The Oba encouraged government-led urban renewal on Lagos Island but cautioned that original residents must not be displaced during redevelopment efforts.

He expressed concern about the growing decline in sanitation across Lagos and called for a revival of regular house-to-house environmental inspections.

Akiolu said such inspections existed in the past and promoted discipline, hygiene, and civic responsibility among residents.

He advised political office holders to avoid greed and misuse of public funds, warning they will answer to God and future generations.

The traditional ruler emphasised that honesty, discipline, transparency, and accountability are necessary virtues for meaningful national progress.

He urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying signs of the Renewed Hope Agenda are beginning to emerge.

Akiolu also expressed hope that future generations will uphold values of kindness, integrity, truthfulness, and fairness, which he considers central to leadership and humanity.

(NAN)

November 3, 2025
Trump: Tinubu May Adopt Strategy of Cooperation, Collaboration to End Insecurity -Jimoh Ibrahim

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may deploy a liberalism strategy anchored on cooperation, corporations, and collaboration to end insecurity and strengthen ties with global partners, including the United States.

Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, dismissed reports of tension between President Tinubu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, saying both leaders share liberal democratic values that favour dialogue over dispute.

In a statement personally signed and released on Sunday, the lawmaker urged Nigerians to “calm down,” noting that “democratic liberal states don’t go to war with one another.”

“In cooperation and collaboration, we engage and determine a new international order in a geocentric system,” he said.

Blending humour with intellect, Ibrahim described himself as a close associate of both leaders.“Tinubu and Trump will not fight one another. What is more, T vs T or T plus T is usually T², no further mathematics is required,” he noted.

Read Also: Tinubu won’t compromise Nigeria’s economic sovereignty, says Jimoh Ibrahim

The senator revealed that he once lived in Trump Tower, describing Trump as his former landlord and Tinubu as his political father.“I know them, their praxis, and their taxonomies,” he added, echoing Winston Churchill’s line that “they simply jaw-jaw, not war-war.”

His remarks follow controversy over Trump’s recent comments alleging a “genocide” against Christians in Nigeria, a claim that has sparked global reactions and diplomatic concern.

The Federal Government has since dismissed Trump’s comments as “misleading and unreflective of reality,” stressing that insecurity in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven largely by terrorism, banditry, and resource conflicts.

Analysts say President Trump’s remarks could strain Nigeria-U.S. relations. But Senator Ibrahim’s intervention, they note, underscores the need for calm diplomacy, constructive dialogue, and international cooperation in addressing security challenges.

November 3, 2025
Trump: Why Nigeria needs understanding, not division

By Mayowa Alakija

A few days ago, United States President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, later shared on the official White House X (formerly Twitter) handle, announced that Nigeria had been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he called the “genocide of Christians” and an “existential threat” to Christianity in Africa’s most populous nation. His words were emotional and intended to draw global attention. But as a concerned Nigerian, I believe such a sensitive issue deserves not only attention — it deserves understanding, context, and truth.

The statement understandably stirred emotions at home and abroad. Yet beyond the rhetoric and statistics, we must respond with clarity and diplomacy — because what Nigeria faces is not a war of religion, but the scourge of violent extremism that has affected all faiths and ethnic groups across our vast nation.

Let us state unequivocally: Nigeria does not condone the killing of any citizen, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Every life lost — whether Christian, Muslim, or of any creed — is a national tragedy. Our government, through the military, intelligence agencies, and community-based interventions, continues to confront terrorism in all its forms. What some portray as “genocide against Christians” is, in truth, a broader campaign of terror waged by extremist elements such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups — enemies of humanity who recognise neither church nor mosque.

To frame Nigeria’s security challenge as a religious crusade is not only inaccurate but dangerous. Extremism — not Islam — drives the violence. In Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, hundreds of Muslims, including imams and scholars, have been brutally murdered by these same extremist factions for refusing to accept their distorted ideology.

In 2014, Boko Haram massacred over 600 Muslims in Baga, accusing them of cooperating with the Nigerian military. A year later, a suicide bombing at the Kano Central Mosque during Friday prayers killed more than 120 worshippers — all Muslims. In 2017, extremists attacked a convoy of Muslim clerics travelling from Maiduguri to Gamboru, leaving dozens dead. These incidents, among countless others, reveal the complex nature of Nigeria’s security struggle — one that transcends religion.

It is therefore regrettable that a leader of President Trump’s stature would characterise Nigeria’s situation as Christian persecution without acknowledging the shared suffering of all faiths. If America truly seeks to help, it must begin with understanding — not division.

Indeed, the United States itself remains a work in progress when it comes to protecting lives and promoting equality. The Black Lives Matter movement, born out of repeated instances of police brutality and systemic discrimination against African Americans, reminds us that no nation is immune to internal challenges. Just as we do not judge America solely by its racial conflicts, the world must not judge Nigeria through a narrow religious lens.

Every nation grapples with its demons. America’s racial tensions, school shootings, and hate crimes mirror Nigeria’s own struggles with ethnic suspicion, poverty, and insurgency. What defines a nation is not its problems, but its commitment to solving them.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unity and tolerance, stating: “Nigeria remains a secular, multi-religious state. Our constitution guarantees freedom of worship, and the Nigerian people — both Christians and Muslims — have lived together for centuries in peace. The few who choose violence do not represent us, and they will not prevail.”

This reflects the truth that Nigeria’s challenge is not about religion, but about a shared determination to defeat the forces of extremism.

Similarly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasised that the U.S. designation misrepresents the situation on the ground, saying: “We have consistently engaged our international partners to understand that Nigeria’s security challenge is rooted in extremism and underdevelopment, not religion. To tag it as genocide against one faith community distorts reality and undermines the collaborative effort we need to fight global terrorism.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his renewed commitment to national stability, has also declared that his administration will “continue to work with international allies to strengthen our internal security and address the root causes of conflict — poverty, illiteracy, and misinformation.” The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan — it is a deliberate, people-centred effort to rebuild trust and reinforce the pillars of unity and progress.

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At this delicate stage of national consolidation, divisive narratives do not serve the cause of peace. The United States, a global partner and friend, should recognise the nuances of Nigeria’s struggle — as a battle against extremism, not between religions. What we need is cooperation in intelligence sharing, humanitarian aid, and capacity building, not designations that stigmatise and polarise.

Nigeria is not at war with Christianity. We are at war with extremism. Our Christian and Muslim leaders have long worked side by side for peace. Across our nation, churches and mosques continue to preach coexistence and tolerance — values deeply ingrained in the Nigerian spirit.

As Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, once noted: “Those who kill in the name of God do not know God. Nigerian Christians and Muslims have a duty to defend peace and expose those who profit from hatred.”

The call, therefore, is for partnership, not punishment; for empathy, not exclusion. The United States should stand with Nigeria in solidarity, not stand above her in judgment. Because when we see the humanity in each other — whether Black or White, Christian or Muslim — only then can we build the peaceful world we all desire.

The best path forward is not in trading accusations, but in building bridges of empathy. Nigeria and the United States have long shared historical, educational, and cultural ties that must be deepened — especially now. It is time for both nations to consider establishing a Nigeria–U.S. Interfaith and Peace Collaboration Forum, where faith leaders, civil society actors, scholars, and youth advocates can come together to counter extremist ideologies and foster community resilience.

We must shift global conversations from blame to collaboration. A joint initiative on counter-extremism and interfaith education could empower young people with knowledge, tolerance, and opportunity — the true antidotes to radicalisation. America’s experience in civil rights and community dialogue could complement Nigeria’s grassroots peacebuilding to form a model for other nations confronting extremism.

As a Nigerian who believes deeply in the unity of our diverse people, I see immense value in dialogue built on respect and empathy. Our story is not one of endless conflict, but of resilience, faith, and shared humanity.

If the world must remember Nigeria, let it remember us not for our challenges — but for how we overcame them, together.

•Alakija writes from Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos

November 3, 2025
Putin, Trump and next

By Diane Francis

Why doesn’t Donald Trump have sympathy with Ukraine like most people do? Why has he placed no sanctions on Russia or its oil customers? Why does he hesitate to give Ukraine Tomahawk missiles to retaliate against Russia’s devastating attacks on civilians? Why does he handle Putin with kid gloves and respect? Why is he the tough guy who beats up or bombs rivals but tiptoes around Putin, allowing him to embarrass, humiliate, and outflank him? Why is there no deal to end the war? Of growing concern is that Trump’s efforts have also been erratic and questionable, raising questions as to whether he’s impaired, has been promised riches by Putin, or is being blackmailed. Whatever the reason, Putin, the world’s worst geopolitical predator, has been able to run circles around the most powerful man on the Planet. So far.

It makes little sense that a tough guy from New York City with a bottomless desire for success and the Nobel Peace Prize has squandered the momentum he created by executing the Israel-Gaza peace deal, a template that he made. All that is needed to stop Russia’s slaughter is: Back Ukraine to the hilt with weapons, as he did Israel, demolish Russia’s oil industry and economy with long-range missiles as well as severe sanctions, sanction all of Russia’s oil customers, publicly isolate, humiliate, and call Putin a war criminal who kidnaps children, then demand a ceasefire or escalate. Trump’s failure to put his own patented peace plan into gear makes him an accomplice, not a savior.

Matthias Schmale, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, said 2025 has been deadlier for civilians than 2024, with casualties rising 30 percent.

Equally perplexing is that Trump is unafraid of bombing and sanctioning the Ayatollahs or destroying thugs like Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela. But, in the case of Ukraine, Trump has held back from slamming Putin for refusing to agree to a ceasefire, as Ukraine did weeks ago, and has held back from providing more firepower to Kyiv as it is continuously bombarded. Instead, he has a chat with Putin and backs down. Clearly, nuclear escalation is always a concern, but Trump recently positioned nuclear submarines close to Russia to reassert American deterrence boldly.

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What’s perplexing is the Trump-Putin relationship. Trump talks Tomahawks, Putin calls, and Trump shrinks. Then, Trump agrees that another summit will be held in Budapest. That bilateral is a coup for Putin for three reasons: Ukraine is not invited to participate, equivalent to settling the Israel-Gaza war by holding talks with Iran and Hamas without including Israel. Secondly, the summit provides another global photo-op for Putin, as did the pointless summit in Alaska, and thirdly, it also raises Putin’s stature in a city run by a pro-Putin government.

Budapest is an unacceptable venue. Putin chose it because it was where, three decades ago, Kyiv agreed to surrender its nuclear arsenal in return for security guarantees from the US, Britain, Russia, and others – guarantees that were never honored. Ukraine was invaded twice since then by Russia, and the US and Britain didn’t lift a finger. Besides that, Hungary is Europe’s “skunk at the picnic” and a small, inconsequential nation run by Viktor Orban, a Putin lackey. Russia openly bribes Hungary by providing it with cheap oil, and Hungary returns the favor by refusing to supply self-defense military equipment to Ukraine, nor to allow military equipment sent by other European Union (EU) member states to pass through the country.

Frankly, Hungary should be booted out of the EU and NATO because its government is obstructive to both alliances and is also guilty of democratic backsliding. Orban vetoes EU aid to Ukraine, and only recently agreed not to veto NATO assistance to Ukraine in return for concessions. But Orban is also a favorite of Trump because of his right-wing autocratic policies. So far, concerning Ukraine, it’s game, set, and match for Putin. In one phone call, Trump went from contemplating Tomahawks and sanctions to providing Putin with another global stage. Worse, in advance of the meet-up, Trump is putting pressure on Ukraine to capitulate, not on Putin. For example, he recently told Ukraine to accept Putin’s terms or risk being “destroyed” and suggested that Ukraine may have to trade land (Donbas) for peace.

A bilateral summit also suits Trump and will help project his “peacemaker” image. More importantly, it will allow his team to conduct “business” with the Kremlin. Since his inauguration, Russia has dangled economic proposals to the American business community as a tactic to undermine support for Ukraine and as a disincentive against destroying Russia’s economy to stop the war, according to an Oct. 17 report published by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington. “The Kremlin continues to employ a dual-handed rhetorical strategy, leveraging economic proposals and veiled military threats in an effort to simultaneously pursue normalizing US-Russian relations and deterring US support for Ukraine,” it wrote.

This initiative is being directed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO and key Kremlin negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, who publicly promotes a gigantic joint US-Russian economic venture, according to the ISW. This undertow of promised opportunities is obviously designed to prevent attacks that could destroy Russia’s asset base as well as to discourage draconian sanctions that could cripple its key businesses.

Interestingly, the Republican and business-oriented Wall Street Journal urges full-on escalation against Russia in an editorial entitled “Give Ukraine the Tomahawks, Mr. President.” It stated that “Mr. Trump’s reluctance seems to involve two concerns, and the first is escalation with a nuclear power. But Mr. Putin has been lobbing cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine for years, and there’s nothing escalatory about return fire. Tomahawks could be a force for peace by altering Mr. Putin’s capacity to carry on his grinding war. Mr. Trump has said repeatedly he wants to end the war, and no doubt he means it. But Mr. Putin so far hasn’t shown any willingness to stop shooting.”

So what’s next? There may be a light at the end of this tunnel. For starters, Trump would never have agreed to go to Budapest without certainty that there is or will be a deal. The Putin call was lengthy and took 2.5 hours, which indicates that a complicated agreement may have been sketched out. The latest rumor is that Putin wants Donetsk but is willing to “surrender” parts of occupied southern Ukraine, wrote the ISW on Oct. 20. But no one knows.

Optimistically, the best scenario would be that Trump may, in fact, pull off another Israel-Gaza triumph. After all, Putin knows that without a ceasefire win for Trump, the stalemate will grind on, Ukrainians won’t capitulate, and Tomahawks, backed by Ukrainian drones, will eventually have to wipe out what’s left of Russia’s economy. Only a deal can prevent Russia’s collapse and eventual dissolution. So Trump let Putin pick Budapest, but only if he agreed to freeze the battle line where it is now, give up some land, and immediately stop shooting.

• This article was originally published in www.kyivpost.com

November 2, 2025
Arewa Think Tank blasts Trump over designation of Nigeria as CPC

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has slammed former U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent remarks classifying Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), describing the move as a veiled attempt by the West to sow religious discord and destabilize the nation.

In a statement in Kaduna, the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, accused the Western world of using religion as a tool of manipulation after several failed attempts to undermine Nigeria’s unity, peace, and progress.

“We condemn the Western world’s stance aimed at igniting a religious crisis in Nigeria, using some of our own people as collaborators,” Yakubu said. “We are warning such individuals to desist from this unpatriotic alliance and urging the Federal Government not to fall for this trap.”

He argued that the CPC designation had little to do with any genuine concern for Nigerian Christians, insisting that contrary to Western propaganda, there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

“For decades, Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have coexisted peacefully and will continue to do so. Both faiths share a common enemy, the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP, whose atrocities have claimed more Muslim lives than Christian ones,” he added.

Yakubu maintained that what Nigeria truly needs from the United States is sincere partnership in the global fight against terrorism, not divisive labels or interference. He cautioned Washington against using the “false narrative of Christian persecution” as a pretext for renewed foreign intervention.

“Mr. Trump and his allies should not use this false narrative as justification for another round of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ or ‘regime change’ operations, tactics that destroyed Iraq, Libya, and other nations,” Yakubu warned.

The ATT Convener urged Nigerians endorsing Trump’s position to learn from history, noting that similar Western interventions have left behind chaos and plunder. “Whenever the American political establishment pushes such narratives, what follows is destabilization, conflict, and looting of natural resources, as witnessed in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Libya, and even Ukraine,” he said.

Yakubu further alleged the renewed Western focus on Nigeria’s religious affairs is economically motivated, pointing to the nation’s growing energy and mineral potential.

“With Nigeria’s refining capacity rising above 650,000 barrels per day and expected to exceed 1.6 million within three years, our energy independence threatens Western interests. Add to that our lithium and other critical minerals now in global demand,” he explained.

He said Western powers, losing influence in sub-Saharan Africa to China, are resorting to destabilization tactics to protect their interests. “Their only remaining strategy is to create crises, supply weapons, and plunder resources, just as they did elsewhere. Now their focus is on Nigeria, the pride and hope of the Black race,” Yakubu asserted.

He called on Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines to unite in defense of national sovereignty. “We must stand together and resist these divisive tactics. Let us remain steadfast, as other nations did, against foreign manipulation. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.

November 1, 2025
FG rejects Trump’s designation of Nigeria as “Country of Particular Concern”

The Federal Government has rejected US President Donald Trump tag of a “Country of Particular Concern” on Nigeria.

The government said these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, explained that Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.

He stressed the President Bola Tinubu administration remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.

Ebienfa said the country will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States, with the essence to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.

The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.

“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”

November 1, 2025
Trump labels Nigeria country of concern amid alleged Christian persecution

United States President Donald Trump has redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’.

Trump announced his decision in a Truth Social post on Friday in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
He wrote: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it.

“When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done! I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me.

“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the world!”
US Senator Ted Cruz accused Nigerian officials of “ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists,” pledging to hold them accountable through a religious freedom bill he introduced to Congress in September.

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US Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith have called for Nigeria to be redesignated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious repression and even comedian Bill Maher has weighed in, alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

But Nigerian authorities have continued to deny the allegation of Christian persecution.

At different occasions, senior government officials have dismissed the claims.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said such assertions are misleading and not reflective of the country’s complex security realities.

Idris, who was on CNN on Tuesday night clarified that the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the nation’s constitution.
The Minister also said that there is a renewed focus by the Tinubu administration towards addressing security challenges to guarantee the safety and well-being of all citizens.
“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians. Yes! There are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country,” he said.
Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international Community to disregard the allegation of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, saying it is unfounded.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on the Ministry’s reaction to the genocide allegations, said it is nothing but a gross misrepresentation of the complex security situation and a dangerous oversimplification of the challenges the country is facing.

Ebienfa, in an exclusive interview, assured the international community the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to securing every inch of Nigerian territory and protecting every citizen.

He said that the security forces are doing everything possible to contain all forms of security threats.

He said: “I must state categorically that the allegations are false and baseless. The Federal Government of Nigeria unequivocally refutes these unwarranted allegations in their entirety. They represent a gross misrepresentation of the complex security situation in Nigeria and a dangerous oversimplification of the challenges we face as a nation. Such claims are not only false but are also irresponsible, as they threaten to undermine the unity, interfaith harmony, and national sovereignty of Nigeria.

“As you are aware, Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society where over 230 million people of diverse faiths, chiefly Christianity and Islam, have co-existed and thrived together for generations. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion for every citizen. The Government remains steadfast in its duty to protect this right for all Nigerians, irrespective of their creed.

“The Ministry therefore calls upon the international community to disregard these unfounded allegations and to instead support Nigeria’s efforts in combating terrorism and banditry. Moreso, we urge our international partners to seek verified information from official channels and to engage in constructive dialogue with the Nigerian government.

“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious freedom and diversity in Africa. We are committed to fostering a society where all citizens can live in peace and practice their faith without fear. Therefore, we will not be distracted by those who seek to sow division and distrust for their own geopolitical or ideological ends.”

October 31, 2025