Tinubu “Ahead of the Game,” Bayo Onanuga says after Trump’s remarks on Christian killings

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, says the president is already ahead of what he called an “orchestrated game” unfolding in the United States over allegations of attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

Onanuga made the remark after former US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and warned of possible US action if the killings did not stop. The move and the accompanying threats have stirred sharp debate both at home and abroad.

In a post on X, Onanuga said Mr Tinubu had taken decisive steps by reshaping the military leadership and making clear what he expects of the new service chiefs.

“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses, he said. Nigerians want results,” Onanuga wrote.

Mr Tinubu had urged the service chiefs to act with “patriotic zeal”, be innovative and pre-emptive, and to use technology where needed to tackle insecurity.

He warned that emerging armed groups must be stopped quickly and decisively, saying the government would not tolerate those threats.

The US warning comes amid efforts by some American lawmakers, led by Senator Ted Cruz, to press for sanctions and other measures against Nigerian officials they accuse of tolerating violence against Christians.

Cruz earlier proposed legislation seeking to hold Nigerian officials accountable and to require the US secretary of state to label Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

Nigeria’s government has rejected claims that violence in the country targets one religion. Authorities say terrorists attack people of all faiths and that the administration is working to curb insurgency and criminality.

Onanuga’s post framed Mr Tinubu’s actions as proactive steps to restore security and to show that the government is tackling the problem internally, ahead of external pressure.

He argued that the president’s message to the military, that Nigerians expect results, demonstrates a readiness to confront insecurity decisively.

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