• China, EU, ECOWAS: no religious colouration to country’s insecurity
The Federal Government yesterday said the country would emerge stronger from diplomatic tensions with the United States after Washington designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
U.S. President Donald Trump followed up the designation with a threat of military action.
Yesterday, the European Union (EU), China and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) exonerated Nigeria from the allegation of bias and the targeted killing of Christians by terrorists.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, insisted that Nigeria remained a multi-religious country where freedoms are respected.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and the rule of law.
He emphasised that religious persecution is not tolerated.
Tuggar spoke in Berlin, Germany, during a briefing in the company of his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul.
Idris, speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, said the President remains calm and is taking the matter “very seriously”.
He noted that all responsible institutions of government are examining the situation “with the depth that it requires.”
The minister stressed that Nigeria is a tolerant, multi-faith nation and that the administration is determined to ensure the international community understands the country’s true position.
“This is not the time for division or rhetoric; it is a time for nation-building and unity. We will come out of this very strongly,” the minister said.
Idris said the President has intensified engagements with religious leaders, regional blocs and international partners to counter what he described as “false narratives” promoted by extremist elements.
He said the government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach, including ongoing dialogue with faith leaders, whom he described as “important stakeholders in the Nigerian project.”
“Nowhere has there been any decision to favour one religion over another or to inflict violence on any faith.
“Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and Mr President will continue to uphold that,” Idris stated.
Idris pointed to recent security reforms — including the appointment of a new Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, decisions taken even before Washington’s concerns were raised — as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening national security.
“As a government, we don’t want to overheat the discussion,” he added.
“Work is ongoing, and we have opened channels of communication to ensure the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing and intends to do to keep this country safe for all.”
The minister reiterated that extremists seek to divide the country and urged citizens to “look deeper” and resist attempts to exploit the situation.
“This is not who we are as a country. Nigeria remains a united, tolerant nation, and the President is committed to safeguarding that,” he said.
Tuggar: religious persecution impossible
Tuggar maintained that religious persecution will not be tolerated.
“There is a constitutional commitment to religious freedom and the rule of law.
“It is impossible for there to be religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape or form by the government of Nigeria at any level,” he said.
The minister cautioned against external attempts to divide Nigeria along religious lines.
“What we are trying to make the world understand is that we should not create another Sudan.
“We’ve seen what has happened with Sudan with agitations for the partitioning of Sudan based on religion, based on tribal sentiments, and you can see the crisis even when the partitioning was done according to religion or according to tribe,” Tuggar added.
Abdulsalami urges unity
Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar called on Nigerians to put aside political, ethnic and religious differences to defend the nation’s sovereignty.
He noted that unity and restraint were vital as the country faces what he described as “serious external provocations.”
Speaking from London in a telephone interview, the elder statesman was quoted as expressing deep concern over Trump’s remarks, which he said could pose a “grave threat” to Nigeria’s peace and unity.
Abubakar cautioned that if not handled with care, such statements could strain Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with Washington and undermine internal stability.
“This is a moment for Nigerians to come together and protect the sovereignty and integrity of our nation.
“We must not allow external influences or inflammatory statements to divide us.
“Unity, wisdom and diplomacy must take precedence over division and pride at this critical time,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to pursue “quiet diplomacy and strategic engagement” with Washington to ease tensions and clarify any misunderstandings.
The ex-Head of State noted that Nigeria and the United States have long-standing ties that should not be jeopardised by miscommunication or hasty conclusions.
Internal crisis misrepresented, says George
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, said that Nigeria’s internal crisis may have been misinterpreted and misunderstood by other countries.
He described Trump’s statement as “a warning shot,” saying it signalled how dangerously misunderstood the country’s internal crisis has become on the global stage.
The former Ondo State military administrator warned that foreign powers could easily misinterpret Nigeria’s domestic challenges as religious persecution, thereby exposing the country to unnecessary diplomatic strain.
He said: “That’s how they start. They gather intelligence, draw conclusions, and before you know it, they tag your nation unsafe.
“I hope our government takes this seriously because the consequences could be far-reaching.”
George dismissed claims that Nigeria’s persistent insecurity stemmed from faith-based conflict, saying such views were both simplistic and untrue.
SAN opposes foreign intervention
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ahamba, urged the U.S. to assist Nigeria in addressing insecurity.
“I don’t subscribe to a foreign country coming into our country. But if it is something we cannot manage, then foreigners should come and help us,” Ahamba said.
He called on the new service chiefs and security heads to target the financiers and sponsors of terrorists and bandits to prevent Nigeria from being labelled a terrorist state.
