Mixed reactions have continued to trail United States President, Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria.
Trump had, on Friday, designated Nigeria as a Country of
Particular Concerns, CPC, saying that Christians in the country are facing an
“existential threat”.
The US President called on American lawmakers to investigate
the “mass slaughter” of Christians.
A few hours after Nigeria was designated, Trump threatened
to send US forces into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing”, stating that if Africa’s
most populous country does not stem what he described as the killing of
Christians by Islamist extremists, the US would intervene.
While Trump’s move triggered panic among a cross-section of
Nigerians, others seemed elated by the development.
Government officials, Islamic scholars, and supporters of the
ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are vehemently denying the genocide
claims, insisting that the deteriorating security situation does not target a
particular religion.
To them, President Trump’s move has ulterior motives as they
alleged that the decision is beyond just protecting Christians in Nigeria.
However, some stakeholders, particularly Christians,
welcomed Trump’s move to take out the perpetrators of the alleged Christian
massacre.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, major
national opposition leaders, especially those plotting President Bola Tinubu’s
removal in 2027, are yet to comment on the matter.
It was observed that the 2023 Labour Party presidential
candidate, Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP counterpart, Atiku
Abubakar, have maintained silence on the matter.
Similarly, the former governors of Kaduna and Rivers States,
Nasir El-rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, who have been previously vocal on national
issues, have decided to sit on the fence.
In a chat with DAILY POST, a public affairs analyst, Moses
Jibila attributed their silence to 2027 ambitions.
He said, “They are being careful because this is a very
sensitive matter. They know the truth but because of their selfish interests,
they won’t say anything.
“Someone like Atiku would prefer not to talk because he is
going to be in trouble if he takes a stand on the issue.
“For example, Atiku cannot say there is no Christian
genocide in Nigeria, if he does that, the Christians will come for him and they
will punish him through the ballots.
“And if he backs Trump, his Muslim brothers will come for
him.
“The same way Obi and others are feeling. It is all about
their selfish interests”.
Nigeria as CPC
This is the second time President Trump is designating
Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Prior to his exit from the White House in 2020, Nigeria was
designated as CPC but the Joe Biden administration later reversed the policy.
The “Country of Particular Concern” status is an official
classification under the US International Religious Freedom Act, IRFA of 1998.
The law applies to nations found to be engaging in or
tolerating “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious
freedom.”
Other countries designated as CPC
Nigeria seems not alone as the United States government had
previously designated at least 14 other countries.
Some of the nations labeled as CPCs include China, Iran,
Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Eritrea.
Others are Burma, Cuba, Nicaragua, Tajikistan and
Turkmenistan.
According to reports, the designated countries have been
cited for long-term, state-sanctioned restrictions on religious practice or
persecution of minority faiths.
Tinubu to meet Trump
President Bola Tinubu is expected to meet his United States,
US, counterpart, Donald Trump “in the coming days” to address the situation.
Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on policy
communication, who disclosed this on Sunday, said the meeting will hold “either
in the State House or White House.”
Bwala expressed optimism that the genocide claims “would be
discussed and resolved by the two leaders” when they meet.
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