ADC to Tinubu: Trump’s threat shows world has lost confidence in Nigeria’s security leadership

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s handling of national security, saying the recent military threat by United States President Donald Trump exposes the failure of the Nigerian government to safeguard its citizens.

Trump had on Saturday declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” and warned that the U.S. may take military action if the alleged killing of Christians continues.

Reacting in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday, the ADC said Trump’s outburst reflects global anxiety over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

“We are guided by the painful reality that what is really at stake here are the thousands of human lives that have been lost to insecurity in Nigeria, irrespective of tribe, religion, or region,” the party said.

The ADC noted that the U.S. President’s remarks highlight the global consensus that every government has a duty to protect citizens within its borders.

“The statement by President Trump reminds us of the greater global concern about the sanctity of human life, and the cardinal responsibility of national governments to protect the lives of people who live within their borders,” Abdullahi stated.

The opposition party lamented that under Tinubu’s watch, insecurity has worsened, with nearly 15,000 Nigerians killed since June 2023 in various violent incidents across the country.

“The crisis we face is not about Christians or Muslims being targeted; it is a national emergency that threatens every Nigerian,” the ADC said.

Citing the recent attack by the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM in Kwara State, the party accused the government of being unresponsive to the worsening situation.

It also criticised Tinubu for failing to appoint ambassadors almost two years into office, saying this failure has further weakened Nigeria’s global influence.

“How can a government that boasts of unprecedented revenue continue to use lack of funds as an excuse for not appointing ambassadors?” the party queried.

The ADC described Nigeria’s diminishing foreign policy profile as a direct consequence of the administration’s lack of seriousness, accusing it of prioritising politics and propaganda over governance.

“If this government had been less obsessed with political grandstanding and self-congratulation, it would have treated every violent attack with the urgency it deserves,” the statement read.

The party outlined several urgent steps it believes are necessary, including a complete overhaul of the security architecture, the immediate appointment of ambassadors, and a redefined foreign policy anchored on Nigeria’s national interest.

It also called on the United States and other global partners to focus on institutional support rather than military intervention.

“Deploying armed troops or threatening to do so would be counterproductive. What Nigeria needs is international partnership that strengthens its institutions, not foreign boots on its soil. Nigeria is not beyond saving – but time is fast running out,” the ADC warned.