President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at Peter Obi, accusing the opposition figure of endorsing foreign military interference in Nigeria and insisting the government “will not forgive” his comments.

Onanuga’s reaction came in a quoted X post on Tuesday, referencing a video where Obi is heard saying:
“If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority.”

He claimed the former Labour Party presidential candidate had displayed a reckless disregard for national sovereignty.

The clip resurfaced in the heat of renewed controversy triggered by a 1 November 2025 Truth Social post in which US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria over what he labelled “Christian genocide.”
Trump cited attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and armed herder groups, declaring that America “will not allow the violence to continue.”

Nigeria swiftly rejected the claims.
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the narrative misrepresented reality, noting that attacks in Nigeria harm citizens of all faiths and are condemned by the state.

During a defence briefing in Abuja, President Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to inter-faith harmony, citing the appointment of a Christian as Chief of Defence Staff as proof that his government promotes religious inclusion.

Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala added that Nigeria would accept assistance from Washington only under conditions that respect its territorial integrity.

The video in question was recorded on 23 November. In it, Obi said security would be his top priority if he were president, insisting that his statement referred to cooperation in tackling violent groups — not support for foreign intervention.

On 4 November, Obi issued a broader statement calling for constructive diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Washington. He criticised the government’s security strategy, citing reports estimating that more than 10,000 Nigerians have been killed since May 2023.

He argued that the country was facing an “unprecedented wave of insecurity,” urging collaboration across political divides.

The insecurity persists. In Kwara State, armed men recently killed multiple residents in a fresh attack, while several schools in northern states remain shut due to banditry. Local officials warn that millions of children are still out of school.

Relations between Nigeria and the United States remain uneasy, further strained by Washington’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations.