Sanwo-Olu Calls on Nigerians to Defend Government, Calls for Calm over Trump’s Threat

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerians to remain calm and united in the face of recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) e-registration hands-on device/application training for the South-West zone, held on Tuesday at Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu urged citizens to stand firm in defence of the nation and its government against any form of external interference or intimidation.

The governor described Trump’s statement as “unwarranted and misleading,” noting that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation governed by laws and institutions capable of addressing its internal challenges.

“We must not allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to undermine our country’s sovereignty. Nigeria is a nation with strong institutions and resilient people. Our government is working hard to address security challenges and foster unity among all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He urged Nigerians to show patriotism and confidence in the government’s efforts to maintain peace and order, stressing that divisive narratives from outside the country should not derail national progress.

While commending the APC leadership for introducing the digital registration initiative, Sanwo-Olu noted that the innovation would strengthen party membership, improve transparency, and enhance grassroots mobilization ahead of future elections.

“This initiative marks another step in deepening internal democracy within our party. It will help us build stronger structures that reflect the will of the people,” he added.

Trump’s controversial remarks have drawn widespread criticism from Nigerian leaders, clerics, and civil society groups, who insist that the claims of “genocide” are baseless and capable of inciting unnecessary tension.

The Nigerian government has since reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, emphasizing that no faith or ethnic group is under systematic attack in the country.