Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has issued a comprehensive response to former US President Donald Trump's controversial comments about Nigeria, describing them as part of a larger international conspiracy against the African nation.
Trump's Controversial Statement
In a statement dated November 21, Donald Trump reportedly described Nigeria as "a disgrace" and threatened military intervention, saying "We will come in guns ablazing and it will be short, vicious and sweet." The comments have sparked widespread concern among Nigerian political analysts and security experts.
Fani-Kayode questioned the timing of Trump's remarks, noting that "each time this recalcitrant war-monger opens his mouth, more attacks, killings and abductions take place in Nigeria." He suggested this might not be coincidental but rather part of a deliberate strategy to destabilize the country.
Historical Pattern of Foreign Interference
The former minister drew parallels with other African nations that experienced similar foreign interference patterns. "This is the same way they demonised the government of Sudan before unleashing the UAE-funded Janjaweed militia known as the RSF on them," Fani-Kayode asserted.
He highlighted what he called a clear contradiction in Trump's position, pointing out that while the former US president claims to want to protect Nigerian Christians, he recently welcomed Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa, whom Fani-Kayode described as "the greatest butcher of Christians on earth."
According to the analysis, the alleged American strategy involves several key steps:
- Stoking and funding chaos
- Discrediting and weakening the sitting government
- Incitement of the population
- Engineering regime change
- Sparkling civil war to enable resource plundering
Security Challenges and Recent Successes
Fani-Kayode acknowledged Nigeria's security challenges but highlighted recent successes that contradict Trump's characterization of the country as a "disgrace." He noted the successful rescue operations including:
- 24 female students abducted from Government Girl's Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State
- 33 worshippers abducted from a Church in Eruku, Kwara State
- 50 of the 303 students abducted from St. Mary's school in Papiri, Niger State
"These efforts are promising and noteworthy and put a lie to the tactless assertion by Trump that we are a 'disgraced country,'" Fani-Kayode emphasized.
International Support and Solutions
The former minister proposed several solutions to Nigeria's security challenges, strongly advising against relying on American support. Instead, he recommended:
- Eliminating all terrorists and criminalizing support for them
- Resisting foreign attempts to divide Christians and Muslims
- Holding the Federal Government accountable for security
- Properly equipping security forces
- Engaging international partners like Russia and China
Fani-Kayode specifically suggested reaching out to Lt. Colonel Eebyn Barlow, the retired South African Special Forces officer who previously assisted Nigeria against Boko Haram during President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
Global Perspectives on Trump's Leadership
The article references several international figures who have expressed concerns about Trump's leadership style, including Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who described him as a "mad man" and "a white version of Idi Amin."
Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, warned that "when the most powerful man in the world threatens you with his own troops, the devil is at the door knocking."
Fani-Kayode concluded with a stark warning about Trump's recent statements on immigration policy, where the former US president pledged to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries" and pursue "reverse migration."
"After reading this if you still believe that Donald Trump is our friend I wish you luck!" Fani-Kayode concluded, urging Nigerians to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and support national efforts to overcome security challenges without foreign interference.
