President Bola Tinubu will journey to the USA on Tuesday for high-level diplomatic talks.
The go to comes at a tense second, with rising world debate over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and up to date robust remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Presidency insiders confirmed the journey, saying the go to is concentrated on safety, diplomacy, and strengthening ties with Washington. “delegated his Vice, James David Vance to fulfill with Tinubu in the course of the go to,” a high supply disclosed, including that solely last-minute adjustments might alter the association.
Over the previous week, discussions round Nigeria-U.S. relations intensified after Trump warned of potential American army intervention.
He accused the Nigerian authorities of permitting assaults on Christians and vowed the U.S. would act if the scenario continued.
“If the Nigerian Authorities continues to permit the killing of Christians, the united statesA. will instantly cease all support and help to Nigeria, and will very effectively go into that now disgraced nation, ‘guns-a-blazing’…” Trump declared, making reference to what he described as ongoing atrocities.
The Presidency pushed again strongly on Saturday. Tinubu insisted Nigeria upholds non secular freedom and respects all faiths, rejecting claims of focused killings towards Christians.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy ruled by constitutional ensures of non secular liberty,” the President stated.
He defined that since 2023, his authorities has labored with each Christian and Muslim leaders to handle insecurity nationwide.
Tinubu accused critics of confusion Nigeria’s non secular actuality. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously illiberal doesn’t mirror our nationwide actuality,” he famous.
In keeping with presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala, the upcoming engagements with U.S. officers will assist clear any misconceptions.
He earlier said that “Each President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared curiosity within the battle towards insurgency and all types of terrorism towards humanity.”
Bwala additionally highlighted earlier U.S. army help to Nigeria, noting that Tinubu is constructing on earlier defence cooperation preparations.
“President Trump has assisted Nigeria loads by authorising the sale of arms to Nigeria and President Tinubu has adequately utilized the chance within the battle towards terrorism…” he stated.
Discussions in Washington are anticipated to focus closely on counter-terrorism and spiritual concord, in addition to broader safety collaboration.
“Our administration is dedicated to working with the USA authorities and the worldwide neighborhood to deepen understanding,” Tinubu added.
POLITICS NIGERIA experiences that this go to shall be Tinubu’s first Washington engagement since Trump issued his current warnings.
Recall that earlier within the week, Trump designated Nigeria as a “nation of specific concern,” a transfer that triggered diplomatic reactions and sparked nationwide debate on non secular freedom and safety within the nation.