President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has warned Peter Obi that the government will not “forgive” him for comments interpreted as welcoming potential United States military action in Nigeria.
Onanuga, writing in a quoted X post, reacted to a resurfaced video in which the former Labour Party presidential candidate appears to endorse Donald Trump’s threat of a possible invasion.
In the 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.”
Onanuga accused him of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and playing politics with national security.
The footage re-emerged after Trump, in a 1 November 2025 Truth Social post, ordered the Pentagon to prepare for potential military action in Nigeria over what he described as “Christian genocide”. He referenced attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and armed herder groups, claiming the US would not allow the violence to continue.
Nigeria swiftly dismissed Trump’s claims.
Foreign ministry spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa insisted that attacks affect citizens of all faiths and that the Nigerian state does not condone violence of any kind.
Tinubu, speaking during a defence briefing in Abuja, highlighted the appointment of a Christian as chief of defence staff as proof of the government’s commitment to religious balance. He said his administration remains in close contact with faith leaders to reinforce inter-religious stability.
Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala added that Nigeria would only welcome US assistance in a manner that respects its territorial integrity.
Obi, whose video was recorded on 23 November, later clarified that he viewed the US stance as an opportunity for cooperation against armed groups—not as support for foreign intervention. In a 4 November statement, he urged Abuja and Washington to maintain constructive diplomacy.
He criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, citing figures from international rights groups estimating more than 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023. Obi said Nigeria was facing an unprecedented security crisis and urged political unity.
The insecurity has been underscored by recent killings in Kwara, and by ongoing school closures across parts of northern Nigeria. Local officials warn that millions of children remain out of classrooms due to unrelenting banditry.
Relations between Abuja and Washington remain tense following the US designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious-freedom violations. Tinubu’s administration recently dispatched a delegation to Washington in a bid to ease diplomatic friction.
