Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2023 general election, has called on United States President Donald Trump to provide Nigeria with advanced technology to tackle insecurity instead of threatening military intervention.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Sunday whilst responding to Trump’s recent accusations that the Nigerian government has been ignoring attacks on Christians, with the American president threatening to deploy military forces against terrorist groups operating in the country.
The former defence minister emphasised that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation grappling with security challenges affecting citizens regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” he said.
Trump’s warning followed Nigeria’s public backing of a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis and its condemnation of violence in Gaza, a position that has reportedly sparked renewed allegations of “Christian genocide” against the West African nation.
Kwankwaso urged the American government to channel its influence towards assisting Nigeria rather than making statements that could worsen existing divisions within the country.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country,” Kwankwaso stated.
The NNPP leader also advised the Federal Government to strengthen its diplomatic engagement with Washington through the appointment of special envoys and permanent ambassadors to protect Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“The Nigerian government should consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage,” he said.
Kwankwaso appealed to Nigerians to maintain unity despite rising international tensions, describing the current moment as one requiring “emphasis on unity of belonging over division.”
“God bless Nigeria,” he concluded.
