Tinubu Government Summons Foreign Diplomats Over Trump’s Military Threat — The Bureau News Nigeria News Today
By Safiyat Muhammed | The Bureau News
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned all foreign diplomats in Nigeria following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks threatening possible military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
The summons, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comes amid growing global reactions to Trump’s statement last Friday in which he redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and warned of sanctions and potential U.S. troop deployment if “genocide against Christians” persisted.
Tinubu Denies Allegations of Religious Genocide
President Tinubu dismissed the allegations as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s religious landscape, insisting that the country remains committed to constitutional guarantees of religious liberty and peaceful coexistence.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained open engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders while addressing security challenges affecting all citizens, regardless of faith.”
The President added that external observers often overlook Nigeria’s religious diversity and his administration’s ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
China, EU Back Nigeria’s Sovereignty
Meanwhile, China and the European Union (EU) have expressed solidarity with Nigeria, opposing any foreign intervention framed around religion or human rights pretexts.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as an excuse to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.”
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China stands by Nigeria as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions,” Ning said.
In a related statement, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the bloc’s respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional neutrality on religion.
“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria — with the victims of violence and the authorities working to protect citizens. We respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional commitment to religious neutrality,” Mignot told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Diplomatic Engagements Continue in Abuja
The Bureau News gathered that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will brief the diplomatic corps in Abuja on Nigeria’s official position and ongoing efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony while addressing insecurity nationwide.
Observers believe the meeting aims to reassure the international community of Nigeria’s stability and counter narratives portraying the country as a hotspot for religious persecution.