Former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has urged Nigerians to put aside their differences and stand together in defence of the country’s sovereignty.
Abdulsalami made the call in reaction to recent comments by former US president Donald Trump, which he described as a “grave threat to the country’s hard-won unity.”,
Over the weekend, Trump reignited controversy over Nigeria’s security situation after he redesignated the country as a “country of particular concern.”
In a statement released on Friday, Trump claimed that Nigeria was experiencing a “Christian genocide” and accused the government of failing to protect Christians from attacks by “Islamic terrorists.”
He went further to threaten military action, saying: “The USA 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 killing Christians.”
The remark has sparked global concern and speculation about the possibility of direct US military involvement in Nigeria, one of Washington’s oldest allies in Africa.
Speaking in a telephone interview from London on Monday, Abdulsalami warned that Trump’s words could endanger Nigeria’s peace if not carefully managed.
He called on citizens to remain united, stressing that the moment demands “unity, wisdom, and diplomacy” rather than anger or division.
“Unity, wisdom, and diplomacy must take precedence over division and pride at this critical moment,” he said.
Abdulsalami also appealed to the United States to support Nigeria’s fight against insecurity through cooperation rather than threats.
According to him, “strategic dialogue” remains the most effective way to engage Washington and de-escalate the tension.
He added that Nigeria should rely on quiet diplomacy to resolve any misunderstandings and ensure that both countries continue to work together on shared security objectives.
Where were you when the Fulani herdsmen are killing and raping innocent farmers, when bandits are killing and kidnapping the poor masses, when Boko haram terrorists are terrorising the country, where are you when Christians are been massacre in Benue and The kill of Deborah and co in the name of blasphemy, Now you want us to unite against Trump and US that wants to rescue us,. We are for Trump and US, that should come and do the needful.
This is a word of wisdom. Those who are telling government to severe ties, get ready to fight America and other stupid talks forgot that Iran with its pride had their country bombed before they knew it. I wonder what kind of air defense we have that can even track incoming missiles not to talk of sophisticated jet bomber.
Tinubu should close his ears to the likes of Gumi, FFK and others with diarrhea mouth. I wonder the equipment Nigeria has manufactured to counter US. Ordinary bandits we can’t handle.
Thank you Abdusalam Abubakir for this adice
President Donald Trump didn’t threatened Nigeria but the numerous Islamist terrorists killing and maiming innocent Christians. To rally in support of terrorists is unfortunate.
Those who have spoken against Trump have missed it all. He is not coming to fight against Nigeria as a nation but against terrorists. Mind you we have been fighting the terrorist without getting a good result for our efforts, if we need external assistance to route out the terrorist, i don’t think is a bad idea. Let’s forget about FFK, he talks from both sides of his mouth. Apart from our ground troops, what else can we boost of. Our air is porous, our sea is porous and also our land is porous. Nigeria cannot fight America. Remember in 1983 during the presidential election a US submarine was sighted immediately after the elections leaving our sea. Nigeria couldn’t detect it not until it surfaced. Let people like FFK forget their pride and accept the obvious. Where were they when people or farmers in benue, plateau and other parts of Nigeria were being slaughtered, kidnapped. Here we should be talking of the safety of the people of this country. Our politicians have greatly contributed to these problems we are facing. Look inward to settle this problems and forget about Trump. If we can stop terrorism why didn’t we do it since. There is more to this insecurity than meet the eye.
Abusalam you are also part of Nigerian problem please Nigerians we should ignore him and encourage Trump to come and help save Nigeria from tororist and Fulani herdman killing.
How come that Gen Salami never uttered a word in defence of the Benue and Plateau states indigenous people who have been living in IDP camps? Even when other generals like Danjuma said Obasanjo etc were talking, only to come out now when the terrorists are threatened?
This is the man who gave us the good for nothing constitution that has put us in trouble since 1999.
Unless Nigeria is restructured politically and economically we are going no way.
Now you want all the Nigerian citizens to stand together in unity against America. When d so call citizens come out to protest against our government on how they are treating them they come against us with military and police now u wnt us to support the government on wot we knw is good for us
The good thing is that the US have the full list of the sponsors of terrorism in the . The US government should start with those speaking against the mission to deliver the oppressed from their Fulani oppressors. They are all working together with the Islamic terrorists. The sponsors are worse than the sponsored.