In a significant development, Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, has alleged that former United States President Donald Trump's recent designation of Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) is primarily motivated by American interest in Nigeria's vast oil reserves and other critical resources.
Bakare's Accusation: A Distraction from Core Insecurity
Bakare, a former presidential aspirant, made these remarks following the Trump administration's redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC and a congressional hearing held on November 20 addressing the West African nation's escalating insecurity. The US accusation centers on Nigeria permitting the targeted killings of Christians.
However, Pastor Bakare contends this claim serves as a distraction from the broader, more complex security challenges facing Nigeria. He argues the nation's real struggles involve combating jihadist violence, terrorism, and widespread insecurity that affect citizens irrespective of religion.
The Vision and the 'Transactional' Agenda
Speaking during a state of the nation address at his church in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Sunday, November 30, Bakare revealed he received a spiritual vision. He interpreted the 'symbolic attire' seen in this insight—specifically Trump in Muslim garb—as pointing to potential 'religious implications' that could ignite social unrest in Nigeria if not wisely managed.
Bakare labeled Trump's leadership style as fundamentally transactional. He asserted that the Trump administration views Nigeria's oil wealth, mineral resources, and key sectors like real estate and technology as central to its agenda. "It was clear to us that President Donald Trump was going to have a particular interest in Nigeria," Bakare stated, adding, "Nigeria's oil wealth and other mineral resources will be critical to the Trump presidency."
A Call for Strategic Negotiation, Not Pressure
In response to this perceived economic motive behind the geopolitical move, Pastor Tunde Bakare issued a direct call to action for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He urged the Nigerian government to proactively engage with the United States rather than adopt a passive stance.
"President Donald Trump has proven to be a transactional leader whose threats are usually invitations to the negotiating table," Bakare explained. He advised the federal government to craft and present a mutually beneficial business proposal to Washington. Such a deal, he suggested, should facilitate US business interests while simultaneously guaranteeing Nigeria's security, educational development, industrialization, and access to advanced technologies.
Bakare stressed that Nigeria must seize this as a window of opportunity for strategic negotiation, warning against waiting to be pressured by external forces.
Background Context: This controversy follows a meeting between Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth had stated that the Department of War was working aggressively with Nigeria to end the targeted killing of Christians, framing the issue squarely within the context of religious persecution.
