Osogbo, Nigeria — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States, urging both nations to prioritize dialogue over confrontation amid rising security tensions.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, the governor appealed for peaceful diplomacy following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
“I appeal to the Presidency of the United States to support Nigeria in fully implementing its new national security strategy,” Adeleke said.
According to him, Nigeria’s new security framework is comprehensive and capable of tackling banditry and terrorismacross the country.
Adeleke extended his condolences to families of victims of terror attacks in northern Nigeria and urged the U.S. to assist in strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.
“We need our international partners to expand their support for Nigerian security agencies,” he added, describing Trump’s remarks as a wake-up call for deeper cooperation.
The Osun governor stressed that a “peaceful interface between Abuja and Washington” remains the best path forward, not military intervention by the American government.
Adeleke also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its ongoing diplomatic steps to ease tensions with Washington and address legitimate Western concerns.
“This is the time to unite as a nation and support national leadership to tackle threats against our citizens. We need peace, not war, to deepen our democracy and protect our people,” he stated.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his warning of possible U.S. military operations in Nigeria, citing continued attacks on Christians.
When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One whether U.S. troops or air strikes were being considered, Trump replied:
“Could be — I envisage a lot of things.”
He had earlier posted on Truth Social that he had directed the Pentagon to prepare a possible attack plan for Nigeria, claiming that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in the country.
“If Nigeria fails to stop the killings, U.S. action will be fast, vicious, and sweet,” Trump wrote.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told AFP that Nigeria remains a key partnerin the global fight against terrorism.
“Nigeria welcomes U.S. support to fight terrorism as long as it respects our territorial integrity,” Bwala said.
He added that Trump’s remarks may have been aimed at encouraging a high-level meeting between both leaders, noting that President Tinubu and President Trump could meet soon to discuss shared security concerns.
Tinubu had earlier dismissed claims that Christians were being targeted more than other groups, insisting that Nigeria’s religious tolerance remains strong.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu stated.
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