The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday said Nigerian Leaders should not see the U.S. military invasion threat on Nigeria as an issue for politics, rather, should speak and stand in defense of the nation.
NNPP Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam gave the advice in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Aniebonam spoke against the backdrop of controversies and different views on the U.S military invasion threat of Nigeria on Friday, over alleged Christian Genocide.
The invasion threat of Nigeria by the U.S military has led to deep arguments in Nigeria and across the globe.
The NNPP founder noted that in matters affecting Nigeria’s international image and safety, a matter of such magnitude of military invasion, politicians and opinion leaders must guard their utterances and join in seeking solution.
He said there is need for our public opinion leaders and politicians to be cautious in matters affecting our country, noting that insecurity in Nigeria is not a religious matter.
“Indeed, the level of insecurity is quite high but it is not about Christians or Muslims as viewed by the U.S president.
“Nigeria is doing a lot to fight insecurity, kidnapping, human organ trafficking, killings by agitators in various regions and most importantly, the President Bola Tinubu’s administration has continued to fight the issue, even with the recent change of service chiefs.
‘We must join hands and support our government to overcome the challenges.
“Trump must be aware of the consequences of invading Nigeria, and it’s multiplier effect on the regional and global World economy, life and property of Nigerians.”
The NNPP chieftain stated that he believed that Trump’s threat is a wake up call for Nigerian Leaders, governors, lawmakers, council chairmen, traditional rulers and religious leaders to be more proactive and decisive in joining hands to stop the menace.
“Insecurity is not insurmountable. Nigeria could have overcome this threat long ago but the division, politics and religious differences affected outcomes of the fight.
“The blame games made those who should assist security agencies to sit back and look for reasons to criticise a situation that affects all.
“This is no longer about propaganda or name calling of President Tinubu, or Trump, it should be about lessons learnt from his threat and what we can do together as a people about the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians.
“We must all take a stand today to stop the senseless killings nationwide. All of us must help in our little ways,” Aniebonam added.
President Tinubu on Friday, rejected allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria, stating that the country strictly upheld the constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Tinubu kicked against the claim of an existential threat to the Nigerian Christian faith made by U.S. President, Donald Trump.
He refuted the claim of widespread religious intolerance in Nigeria, saying such portrayals “do not reflect our national reality,” and emphasising that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
This status is reserved for nations that are engaged in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, as outlined in the International Religious Freedom Act.
Trump had threatened to deploy military forces in Nigeria if the alleged genocide against Christians is not stopped in the country.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, directed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action” if the killings continued.
The U.S. President also threatened to halt all aids and assistance to Nigeria if the Tinubu’s administration failed to end the alleged persecution and killing of Christians. (NAN)
