Daniel Otera
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has dismissed recent threats by United States President Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria, describing the intervention rhetoric as dangerous and misguided.
Trump had, on Friday, threatened to halt American aid to Nigeria and possibly deploy military force if alleged killings of Christians in the country continued.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sowore warned Nigerians against celebrating Trump’s statements, arguing that history has proven such interventions catastrophic.
“The latest threat by U.S. President Donald J. Trump to launch military action in Nigeria, allegedly to protect Christians, may sound appealing to some. Still, history has shown this to be perilous,” he wrote.
The Sahara Reporters publisher reminded citizens that foreign military interventions have consistently failed to bring stability, citing Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria as examples.
“Whether you are Christian, Muslim, animist, or non-religious, no one should celebrate such rhetoric. The United States and its allies have a long record of military interventions that leave nations more unstable than before,” Sowore stated.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s problems require homegrown solutions rather than external intervention, stressing that genuine leadership and accountability remain the country’s greatest needs.
“What Nigeria truly needs is not a foreign saviour, but legitimate, accountable leadership, one that protects all citizens, upholds justice, and ends the cycles of corruption and violence that have left the nation broken,” the activist wrote.
Sowore directly challenged Trump’s motives, asserting that the American president has no genuine concern for Nigerians regardless of their religious affiliation.
“@realDonaldTrump does not care about Nigerians not Christians, Muslims, or anyone else. Our deliverance will never come from abroad; it must come from within, through real leadership (not the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s of this world) and national renewal,” he declared.
Trump’s statement, posted on his verified social media handle, described the security situation in Nigeria as “disgraceful” and threatened swift military action.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. 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 who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump had said.
The former U.S. president further claimed to have directed what he termed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians. The Nigerian Government better move fast!” Trump warned.
The threat has generated mixed reactions across Nigeria, with some Christian groups welcoming Trump’s strong words whilst others caution that such rhetoric could strain diplomatic relations and inflame religious tensions.
Nigeria has grappled with persistent insecurity challenges, including attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, Islamic State West Africa Province militants, and armed bandits, particularly in northern regions.
The Federal Government maintains that it remains committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith and has intensified military operations to restore peace across affected areas.
Sowore concluded his post with his signature hashtag #RevolutionNow, reiterating his call for systemic change through domestic efforts rather than foreign intervention.