Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has cautioned Nigerians against embracing United States President Donald Trump’s recent remarks threatening possible military intervention in the country over alleged persecution of Christians.
Trump had claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing “mass slaughter” by extremist groups, insisting that the U.S. would “act decisively” if the Nigerian government failed to stop the violence.
He also directed the U.S. Pentagon to consider potential action if the situation does not improve.
Reacting in a statement posted on X on Sunday, Sowore argued that accepting such foreign intervention would be dangerous and counterproductive.
He stressed that while concerns over attacks on religious groups must be taken seriously, Nigeria must resolve its internal security challenges through accountable governance rather than external military force.
“The latest threat by President Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria may appear appealing to some, but history teaches us it is perilous,” Sowore wrote.
“Whether Christian, Muslim or non-religious, no one should celebrate such rhetoric.”
Sowore pointed to past U.S. military involvements in the Middle East and North Africa as cautionary examples.
“The United States and its allies have repeatedly intervened in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria, yet those interventions left those nations more unstable than before,” he said.
“Our salvation will not come through bombs or foreign boots on our soil.”
He maintained that Nigeria’s challenges — including terrorist violence, corruption and weak governance — must be addressed through internal reforms and the emergence of leaders committed to justice and equality.
“What Nigeria truly needs is legitimate leadership that protects all citizens and ends the cycles of violence and corruption,” he added.
“Donald Trump does not care about Nigerians. Our renewal must come from within.”
Trump’s comments followed renewed pressure from U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups pushing Washington to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed claims that it condones religious violence. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that Nigeria remains a pluralistic nation committed to protecting freedom of worship for all citizens.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said in a statement on Saturday.
“Religious tolerance has long been a core part of our identity.”
Nigeria was first placed on the U.S. religious freedom watchlist in 2020 during Trump’s previous term, but the Biden administration removed it in 2021.
