President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga as warned opposition figure Peter Obi that the government will not forgive him for comments interpreted as welcoming a potential U.S military intervention in Nigeria.
Onanuga referred to a video in which Obi reportedly said:
“If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority.”
He accused Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, of showing disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The footage resurfaced after a 1 November 2025 post by U.S President Donald Trump on Truth Social, in which he instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, citing attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and armed herder groups.
Trump claimed the U.S would not allow violence against Christians to continue.
Nigeria rejected Trump’s claims. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stated that attacks in Nigeria affect citizens of all faiths and are not condoned by the state.
President Tinubu also reassured Nigerians during a defence briefing in Abuja, highlighting the appointment of a Christian as Chief of Defence Staff and ongoing engagement with religious leaders to promote interfaith stability.
Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala emphasized that Nigeria would accept foreign assistance only if it respects the country’s territorial integrity.
Obi recorded the video on 23 November, clarifying that security would be his top priority if elected.
He said his remarks were meant to encourage cooperation against armed groups rather than endorse foreign intervention.
On 4 November, Obi had called for constructive diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Washington.
He also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, citing international rights organisations reporting that over 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023.
Recent attacks in Kwara and school closures in northern states illustrate the ongoing security challenges.
Relations between Nigeria and the U.S remain tense, partly due to the U.S designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations.
Tinubu’s administration recently sent a delegation to Washington to ease diplomatic tensions.
