November 02, (THEWILL) — Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has condemned U.S. President, Donald Trump, over remarks suggesting possible military action against Nigeria, describing the statement as a direct assault on the nation’s sovereignty.
THEWILL earlier reported the escalating tensions between Nigeria and Washington after Trump issued a blunt warning, vowing to halt American aid and consider military action if authorities in Nigeria fail to stop the killing of Christians in the country.
If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” the post continued. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”, Trump wrote on his Truth social media platform on Saturday after designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations earlier Friday.
Although Nigeria’s government has rejected the characterisation and insisted that it remains committed to protecting all citizens, reacting to the American military threat on Sunday, Gumi said Trump’s comments were unbecoming of a global political figure and demanded a firm diplomatic response from the Nigerian government.
“For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority, but we can rise above it. President Tinubu should summon the U.S. ambassador; they either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties with this irresponsible regime”, he wrote in a post on his Facebook page.
Gumi argued that Nigeria must assert its dignity and refuse to be intimidated, adding that the nation has viable strategic partners beyond the United States.
“There are lots of other options for our economic expansion and military alliance”, Gumi stressed, urging the Federal Government to diversify global relations and strengthen cooperation with emerging powers.
Responding to the escalating tension between Abuja and Washington, a senior government official who spoke to THEWILL on condition of anonymity reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy while stressing that the country would not accept threats from any foreign actor.
“President Tinubu remains committed to constructive international relations, but Nigeria will not be bullied by any political figure, past or present. Our foreign policy is guided by sovereignty, mutual respect, and national interest. No external threat will determine how we govern our nation”, the official said.
The source, however, hinted that consultations are ongoing at the highest level to evaluate diplomatic options, noting that Nigeria values its partnership with the United States but will defend its dignity if provoked.
“Partnership does not mean subordination. We work with allies, not masters”, the source added.
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