Former Defence Minister and presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to support Nigeria with advanced technology in its fight against insecurity rather than issue threats of military intervention.
Kwankwaso made the appeal in a statement on Sunday while responding to Trump’s recent comments accusing the Nigerian government of ignoring attacks on Christians and threatening possible military action against terrorist groups in the country.
Trump’s remarks followed Nigeria’s endorsement of a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict and its condemnation of civilian killings in Gaza — a stance that reportedly triggered fresh accusations of “Christian persecution” within Nigeria.
Addressing the controversy, Kwankwaso cautioned that such statements from global leaders could inflame religious and political tensions within Nigeria. He stressed that the country’s security challenges are complex and affect citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” the former minister stated.
He called on the U.S. government to use its influence and resources to provide Nigeria with modern surveillance and intelligence technologies to strengthen counterterrorism operations.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country,” Kwankwaso added.
The NNPP leader also advised the Federal Government to pursue a more assertive diplomatic strategy with Washington, including the appointment of special envoys and permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests effectively.
“The Nigerian government should consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage,” he said.
Kwankwaso appealed to Nigerians to remain united amid global political tensions, urging citizens to prioritise nationhood and shared identity over divisions.
“This is a moment to emphasise unity of belonging over division,” he concluded.
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