Engage U.S. Government Diplomatically over Threat of Military Action, Wahab Shittu Tells Tinubu
Prominent legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wahab Shittu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise diplomacy in addressing the recent military threat issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Trump, in a controversial statement last week, warned that the United States could take military action against Nigeria unless the government took urgent steps to protect Christian communities from what he described as “genocidal attacks.”
The remarks came shortly after Washington placed Nigeria on its religious freedom watch list, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerian leaders.
Reacting to the development during a press briefing in Lagos, Shittu described the situation as an “existential threat” to Nigeria’s sovereignty and urged the president to immediately initiate diplomatic engagement with the U.S. government to prevent further escalation.
“This is not a matter to be handled with rhetoric or pride,” Shittu said. “President Tinubu should suspend all other engagements and urgently lead a diplomatic team to interface directly with the U.S. government to resolve this misunderstanding. Events are moving at jet speed, and we must act quickly.”
The legal luminary advised that Nigeria should deploy every available diplomatic channel to communicate its position, while also mobilising support from the African Union, ECOWAS, and Commonwealth member states to build international consensus against any form of external military intervention.
He called for unity among Nigerians, urging citizens to rally behind the government rather than inflame tensions with divisive commentary.
“At a time like this, what we need is solidarity. We must all speak with one voice to protect the integrity and independence of our nation,” Shittu said.
President Tinubu had earlier dismissed the U.S. threat, reiterating that Nigeria remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, irrespective of religion. The president maintained that the country’s security challenges are being addressed through coordinated national efforts and regional cooperation.
Analysts say Shittu’s intervention underscores growing concern within Nigeria’s political and diplomatic circles over the potential fallout of the U.S. designation and Trump’s remarks. Experts warn that any deterioration in relations with Washington could affect Nigeria’s international image, aid inflows, and defence partnerships.
For now, the Nigerian government is yet to announce any official delegation to Washington, but calls for calm and diplomatic dialogue are growing louder. Many observers believe that measured engagement and strategic communication will be crucial in de-escalating tensions and safeguarding Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
