Presidency dismisses report of Tinubu’s US visit, faults Sahara Reporters over ‘false claim’

The Presidency has denied reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to travel to the United States this week to meet with Vice President J.D. Vance, describing the claim as entirely false and misleading.

The clarification was issued on Monday by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, following a report by Sahara Reporters that alleged Tinubu would visit Washington on Tuesday for a diplomatic meeting.

Ajayi, in a post on his official X handle, said the report was fabricated and had triggered unnecessary debates and misinformed commentary.

“There’s a Sahara Reporters story that President Tinubu is going to the U.S. on Tuesday to see U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. That story is not true,” he wrote.

“If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President. The fake news by Sahara has become the basis for some uninformed commentaries since yesterday.”

The Presidency’s reaction comes amid heightened diplomatic tension following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday, warned that the U.S. could intervene militarily if the Nigerian government failed to address what he called “Christian persecution.”

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists,” Trump said.

His statement drew global attention and sparked debates about Nigeria’s human rights record and religious harmony.

Responding to the controversy, President Tinubu dismissed claims of a “Christian genocide,” describing them as baseless and inconsistent with Nigeria’s democratic and religious reality.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said in a statement posted on his X handle. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained open engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders and continues to address security challenges that affect citizens of all faiths and regions.”

Tinubu further described the portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant as inaccurate, noting that his administration has remained committed to promoting unity, security, and freedom of worship.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as a country hostile to any faith does not reflect our national reality. The government continues to protect the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion,” he stated.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to work with the U.S. and other international partners to strengthen security cooperation and promote mutual understanding.

“Religious tolerance and coexistence have always been part of Nigeria’s identity. We will continue to engage constructively with all our allies to advance peace and protect communities of all faiths,” Tinubu said.

Ajayi urged Nigerians and the media to verify information before dissemination, warning against the spread of falsehoods capable of straining international relations.

“Fake news has consequences,” he cautioned. “The public must resist the temptation to amplify unverified stories that could mislead or create diplomatic tension.”