The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has voiced deep concern over the United States’ recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and the associated indication of possible military intervention, calling the development a “wake-up call for Nigerians.”
Obi highlighted the nation’s alarming level of insecurity, marked by widespread violence and destruction of lives and property. He cited reports, including those allegedly from Amnesty International, that over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed since May 2023—a figure he said is “most condemnable.”
The former governor attributed the worsening crisis, which he stressed is avoidable, to “weak leadership, poor governance, and lack of commitment” from those in authority. While acknowledging that insecurity precedes the current administration, he criticized the ruling APC government for “incompetence and failure to manage national resources effectively.” He emphasized the need for Nigeria to be a nation where justice and peace prevail “without oppression or fear.”
Obi urged constructive diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States, calling on both countries to strengthen cooperation and adopt “peaceful, practical solutions” to address the security crisis.
Donald Trump’s Threat of Military Action
Obi’s remarks follow a direct threat made by former United States President, Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, instructing the “U.S. War Department to prepare for possible action in Nigeria.”
Trump announced the CPC designation and accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to the “mass slaughter of Christians” across the country. He warned that the United States would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria if the attacks on Christians continue.
He further indicated that America might intervene militarily to eliminate what he termed “Islamic terrorists” responsible for the killings. Trump’s post stated: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
He concluded with a stark warning: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
