President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has warned opposition figure Peter Obi that the government will not forgive him for comments interpreted as endorsing potential United States military intervention in Nigeria.
Onanuga made the remarks in a quoted post on X, referring to a video in which Obi is heard saying he would welcome a US invasion if it helped improve security.
In the video, Obi reportedly stated, “If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority.”
Onanuga accused the former Labour Party presidential candidate of showing a disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The footage resurfaced following a 1 November 2025 post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social, in which he directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, citing what he described as Christian genocide.
Trump referenced attacks attributed to Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and armed herder groups, stating that the United States would not allow the violence to continue.
Nigeria, however, rejected Trump’s claims. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the attacks affect citizens of all faiths and are not condoned by the state.
During a defence briefing in Abuja, President Tinubu highlighted the appointment of a Christian as Chief of Defence Staff and stressed that his administration was maintaining dialogue with religious leaders to reinforce interfaith stability.
Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala also noted that Nigeria would only accept assistance from the United States in a form that respects the country’s territorial integrity.
The video of Obi was recorded on 23 November. In it, he said security would be his top priority if elected and described the US position as a potential avenue for cooperation against armed groups rather than an endorsement of foreign intervention.
Mr bayo u talk anyhow one day u will leave power