- Tinubu’s adviser warns Peter Obi over viral Trump invasion comment.
- US President Trump threatens possible military action in Nigeria.
- Obi clarifies he meant cooperation on security, not foreign takeover.
- Abuja rejects US claims of religious genocide, insists on sovereignty.
President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has taken a swipe at Peter Obi over a resurfaced video in which the former Labour Party presidential candidate appeared to welcome a possible US military intervention in Nigeria.
In the short clip, Obi is heard saying: “If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority.”
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Onanuga, reacting in a quoted post on X, accused Obi of making a reckless statement that disregards Nigeria’s sovereignty and dignity. He warned that the government “will not forgive” such comments, especially at a time when national security is under global scrutiny.
The video resurfaced shortly after US President Donald Trump, on 1 November 2025, ordered the Pentagon to prepare for potential military action in Nigeria over what he described as Christian genocide. Trump referenced attacks linked to Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed herder groups, insisting that the US would not “stand by” while violence continues.
Nigeria swiftly rejected the claim.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stressed that violence in Nigeria affects “citizens of all faiths” and dismissed Trump’s statements as exaggerated. He said the Nigerian government does not condone any form of religious persecution.
Tinubu, speaking during a defence briefing in Abuja, noted that he appointed a Christian as chief of defence staff to reinforce inter-faith balance. He added that his administration is engaging religious leaders across the country to calm tensions.
Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala also said Nigeria would welcome American assistance only if it respects the nation’s territorial integrity.
The video of Obi was recorded on 23 November. In it, he emphasised that security would be his top priority if he were president, and interpreted the US stance as an avenue for collaboration against armed groups, not as an endorsement of foreign troops occupying Nigeria.
According to The Guardian, Obi later issued a statement urging Abuja and Washington to pursue constructive, diplomatic engagement rather than public confrontation. He criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, pointing to international reports estimating that more than 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023.
He said Nigeria is facing “an unprecedented level of insecurity” and stressed the need for all political actors to work together.
Just days ago in Kwara State, gunmen killed several residents in a fresh attack. Schools in many northern states remain shut due to banditry, with education officials warning that millions of children are now out of school.
The crisis has unfolded alongside worsening diplomatic tensions, following the US decision to list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious-freedom violations.
Tinubu’s administration recently sent a delegation to Washington for meetings aimed at easing the strain between both nations.
