President Bola Tinubu is set to visit the United States on Tuesday amid allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria and threats of possible military action from U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to presidential sources, Tinubu’s visit will involve high-level diplomatic engagements with the U.S. government. It was further gathered that President Trump has delegated his vice president, James David Vance, to meet with Tinubu during the visit, barring any last-minute changes.
The Presidency had earlier annouced that both leaders were expected to meet in the coming days, either at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington to deepen bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism and global security.
Daniel Bwala, media aide to President Tinubu, stated that both leaders share a common vision of combating terrorism and protecting humanity from violent extremism.
Bwala statement comes after President Trump designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’
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He wote, “Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity.”
He noted that the Trump administration had extended significant support to Nigeria’s security efforts, which President Tinubu has effectively built upon.
“President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms to Nigeria and President Tinubu has adequately utilized the opportunity in the fight against terrorism for which we have massive results to show for it,” the statement added.
The Presidential aide further stated that any perceived differences between the two leaders on the nature of terrorist targets in Nigeria would be addressed during their upcoming engagement.
“As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths and no faiths, the differences if they exist would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or White House,” Bwala stated.
Since President Trump annoucement the US may invade Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians is not stopped, there have been different reactions from Nigerians. While some Christians support the move, others, particularly some Muslims condemened the military threat.