A wave of mixed reactions has continued to trail United States President Donald Trump’s recent threat to deploy American forces to Nigeria following his decision to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.
President Trump, in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday, claimed that Christianity was facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria, accusing “Islamist extremists” of orchestrating the “mass slaughter” of Christians. He warned that if the Nigerian government failed to stop the killings, the U.S. would “intervene with guns-a-blazing.”
The declaration, which immediately followed Nigeria’s renewed listing as a CPC under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, has sparked widespread debate across political, religious, and diplomatic circles.
While the threat has caused anxiety among many Nigerians, others, particularly within Christian communities, have welcomed Trump’s stance, describing it as a long-overdue response to years of unchecked violence against believers.
However, government officials, Islamic scholars, and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have dismissed Trump’s claims as exaggerated and politically motivated. They insist that Nigeria’s insecurity is not driven by religion but by complex social, economic, and political factors.
According to them, Trump’s actions may have “ulterior motives,” extending beyond the protection of Christians.
“This is not about faith; it’s about foreign interests,” one senior APC member said.
Meanwhile, prominent opposition figures have largely remained silent on the issue. DAILY POST observed that former presidential candidates Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have yet to issue statements. Similarly, former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, known for their outspoken views, have chosen not to comment.
Public affairs analyst Moses Jibila said that the silence of these figures might be linked to their political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“They’re being careful, If Atiku or Obi takes a clear stand, they risk alienating either Christian or Muslim supporters. It’s all political strategy.” he said.
This marks the second time President Trump has designated Nigeria as a CPC; the first came in 2020 before his exit from office, a decision later reversed by the Biden administration. The CPC status applies to countries found to engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
Other nations currently on the U.S. list include China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Eritrea, among others.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet with President Trump “in the coming days” to discuss the matter. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, confirmed the planned meeting, noting it would hold “either at the State House or the White House.”
Bwala expressed optimism that both leaders would use the opportunity to “clarify and resolve” the allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.
