Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has issued a stern warning to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating the government will not forgive him for comments interpreted as welcoming potential United States military action in Nigeria.
Diplomatic Firestorm Over Trump's Invasion Threat
The controversy erupted following a November 1, 2025 post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social, where he directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria. Trump cited what he described as Christian genocide attributed to Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and armed herder groups, declaring the United States would not allow the violence to continue.
In response to Trump's threat, Peter Obi appeared in a video recorded on November 23, 2025, where he stated: "If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority."
Government Condemnation and Sovereignty Concerns
Bayo Onanuga responded sharply via a quoted X post, accusing the former presidential candidate of showing disregard for national sovereignty. The presidential aide's declaration that the government "will not forgive" Obi represents a significant escalation in the political confrontation.
Nigeria's Foreign Ministry swiftly rejected Trump's claims, with spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa clarifying that attacks in Nigeria affect citizens of all faiths and are not condoned by the state.
President Tinubu, speaking during a defence briefing in Abuja, pointed to his administration's commitment to religious balance by appointing a Christian as chief of defence staff. He emphasized that his government maintains regular contact with religious leaders to reinforce inter-faith stability.
Obi's Clarification and Ongoing Security Crisis
Peter Obi later clarified that his comments were misinterpreted, explaining that security would be his number one priority if in office and that he saw the US position as an opportunity for cooperation against armed groups rather than an endorsement of foreign intervention.
According to The Guardian report from November 4, 2025, Obi had previously issued a statement urging Abuja and Washington to maintain constructive diplomatic engagement. He criticized the government's handling of insecurity, citing international rights organizations that estimate more than 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023.
The security situation remains dire across Nigeria. Recently in Kwara, armed men killed multiple residents in a brutal assault, while schools in parts of the north remain closed due to persistent banditry. Education officials warn that millions of children remain out of school as a direct consequence of the violence.
Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala emphasized that Nigeria would accept assistance from the United States only in forms that respect the country's territorial integrity.
The diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington has been further complicated by the US designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious-freedom violations. In response, Tinubu's administration sent a delegation to Washington last week for consultations aimed at easing tensions.
