Tinubu calm, taking Trump’s threat seriously – Minister

‎By Muhyideen Jimoh

President Bola Tinubu is calm and taking recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to attack Nigeria over alleged killing of Christians seriously, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has revealed.

The Minister said the President remained calm while deploying a multi-pronged strategy to address Washington’s concerns through dialogue, coordination, and transparency.

‎Idris revealed this to journalists on Tuesday, after a routine meeting with President Tinubu at the Nigerian leader at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He told journalists that the President expressed confidence that Nigeria will emerge stronger assuring that the matter is being handled with seriousness and depth.

‎‎He emphasised that the Federal Government prioritised constructive engagement over inflammatory rhetoric, adding that new communication channels had been opened with international organisations to deepen understanding of Nigeria’s reforms and future strategies.

‎”Of course, the issue of the U.S. threats came up, and we discussed that extensively with Mr President.

“He is calm and looking for ways to ensure that the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing.

“Only two weeks ago, Mr President reinvigorated the hierarchy of the Armed Forces with the appointment of new service chiefs.

“These were steps already taken before the U.S. concerns, showing that he has been working assiduously to keep Nigeria safer for all,” Idris said.

‎The minister explained that work is ongoing across relevant agencies to address domestic and international concerns through sustained dialogue and a commitment to tolerance, security, and national cohesion.

‎He said the President has continued to meet with Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen unity among Nigerians of all faiths.

‎“It is a multiple approach. Mr President has been meeting with religious leaders and will continue to do so because they are important stakeholders in the Nigerian project,” he said.

‎Idris reaffirmed that President Tinubu would sustain active engagement with the international community, including the United States, regional, and continental bodies, to strengthen cooperation in addressing security challenges and correcting misconceptions about Nigeria.

‎He noted that the government remained determined to eliminate criminal elements whose actions had contributed to negative global narratives about the country.

‎”For us to be characterized as a country that is intolerant of religion is absolutely false.

“What we have are extremists trying to divide the country. Nigerians must look deeper and reflect on our unity.

‎“This is not the time for division or rhetoric but a time for nation-building.

“Mr President is calm and taking the issue seriously. All relevant authorities are addressing it with the depth it requires, and we believe Nigeria will come out stronger,” Idris said.

‎He explained that his meeting with the President was part of routine consultations aimed at aligning government communication strategies with presidential directives.

President Donald Trump of U.S. had threatened to carry out attacks in Nigeria in response to alleged anti-Christian violence.

The U.S. President said he instructed the recently renamed Department of War to “prepare for possible action”.
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‎In a social media post on Saturday, he said the United States would immediately cut off all assistance to Nigeria “if the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians”.

(NAN)