Concerned Northerners Condemn Trump Threats, Call for National Unity to Solve Insecurity
A coalition of prominent Nigerian citizens, including academics and former political advisors, has strongly condemned the recent threats of military action against Nigeria by U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that foreign interference will not solve the nation’s security crisis.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, the group—including Dr. Bilkisu Oniyangi, Professor Usman Yusuf, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed—acknowledged that poor leadership has created the circumstances that allow external threats to gain traction, but insisted that the solution must come from within Nigeria.
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“What will not help our situation are threats, insults, and opportunistic postures. This is our problem as Nigerians, and it will be solved by us,” the statement read.
Rejecting External Interference and US Threats
The group, which consulted a wide spectrum of views across the North and Nigeria, noted that Trump’s suggestion of military action to protect Nigerian Christians has divided citizens between those offended by the “unfounded religious bias” and those who welcomed the threat as potential relief from insecurity.
They warned that the current posture of the U.S. risks deepening national fault lines and turning Nigeria into a pawn in global geopolitics.
The concerned citizens put forth five key suggestions for de-escalation and national response:
* Withdrawal of Threats: The U.S. should withdraw all threats against Nigeria and commit to assisting with strategic and political support to defeat terrorists.
* Global Solidarity: Friends of Nigeria should stand by the country and assist in boosting its capacity to fight insecurity.
* End to Internal Quarrels: Nigerians should not quarrel over who is being killed the most, as “every life taken, every kidnapping or assault anywhere in Nigeria matters equally.”
* Presidential Address: President Tinubu should directly address Nigerians, reassuring them that the government is on top of the security situation.
* Focus on Security: President Tinubu should resist the temptation to visit foreign countries for now and prioritize the security of Nigerians, including appointing competent Heads of Missions globally.
Blame Placed on Poor Leadership
While rejecting foreign intervention, the group placed responsibility for the current situation on Nigeria’s political class.
“The real tragedy is that Nigerians, and particularly our leaders, are responsible for our circumstances today. We have been poorly led while we died and bled in the hands of killers of all types,” the statement asserted.
The group concluded that under no circumstances should Nigeria “consider or tolerate foreign interference as useful to our current circumstances or our future as a sovereign nation.” They remain convinced that with sincere leadership, political will, and national unity, Nigeria will overcome this phase.
By PRNigeria
