By John Umeh
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned remarks attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who allegedly threatened possible military action against Nigeria over what he described as attacks on Christian communities.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Fani-Kayode denounced the statement as “provocative, reckless, and unacceptable,” stressing that Nigeria would defend its sovereignty against any external aggression, regardless of the source.
“Nigeria is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. We will never bow to any foreign power or allow any external force to dictate how we manage our internal affairs,” Fani-Kayode declared.
The former minister urged Nigerians to respond to the development with unity and vigilance, warning that divisive or emotional reactions could be exploited by foreign interests seeking to destabilize the country.
“Nigeria Will Not Be Intimidated”
According to Fani-Kayode, the threat of intervention from Washington was both unwarranted and hypocritical, given the United States’ own record on global security and human rights. He accused certain Western powers of misrepresenting Nigeria’s internal security challenges and overlooking their own contributions to global instability.
“It is ironic that those who have caused wars and chaos in other parts of the world now speak as moral arbiters,” he wrote. “We will not allow our nation to become a theatre for foreign experiments or proxy wars.”
Fani-Kayode cautioned Nigerian authorities against taking comfort in diplomatic reassurances, noting that U.S. foreign policy can shift rapidly with political changes in Washington. He called on the federal government to strengthen national security, intelligence coordination, and diplomatic engagement to prevent external interference in domestic affairs.
“This Is a Wake-Up Call”
In his post, Fani-Kayode referenced messages from political observers describing Trump’s remarks as “childish and provocative,” arguing that such rhetoric could inflame tensions and worsen existing religious or ethnic divisions.
“Any foreign action framed as protecting one group over another risks deepening internal fractures,” he said. “This crisis should be a wake-up call for Nigerians to reinforce unity, self-reliance, and national pride.”
He urged citizens to stand firm against external intimidation and to reject narratives that portray Nigeria as incapable of managing its own affairs.
Broader Context
Fani-Kayode’s comments come amid heightened diplomatic tensions following statements from Washington about alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Trump’s remarks, which were widely circulated on social media, have triggered mixed reactions globally, with U.S. allies calling for restraint and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Nigerian officials have since reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting all religious groups and addressing insecurity through lawful means, emphasizing that Nigeria remains open to international cooperation that respects its independence.
Political analysts say the incident underscores growing sensitivities around foreign involvement in Nigeria’s internal affairs, particularly on issues of religion, security, and human rights.
Fani-Kayode concluded his remarks by calling for renewed patriotism and national solidarity, saying,
“We may have our internal challenges, but Nigeria will always defend itself. Our unity and sovereignty are not negotiable.”
