BREAKING: Tinubu’s US Trip Aborted
Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to the United States to resolve the diplomatic frictions between his government and the Donald Trump’s administration will not go ahead as planned, Ibom Focus learnt on Monday morning.
Top sources informed this newspaper that discussions between the Tinubu’s presidency and the White House were already ongoing “but a face-to-face meeting is not yet on the cards.”
The presidency source noted that the upcoming G-20 Summit in South Africa is being considered for Tinubu’s attendance and as the viable opportunity for the Nigerian president to have talks with President Trump.
The source said, “The meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Donald Trump is not going as reported. No plans are in place to go to Washington DC; conversations between the US and Nigeria are ongoing but a face-to-face meeting is not yet on the cards.
“Rather there is an invitation on the cards for Tinubu to attend the G-20 summit on November 20 in Durban, South Africa where a likely meeting between Tinubu and Trump is a possibility.”
Ibom Focus earlier reported that President Tinubu and United States President Trump were expected to meet in the coming days, either at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington, to further strengthen cooperation between both nations on counterterrorism and global security.
This was according to a statement issued by Daniel Bwala, Media Aide to President Tinubu, adding that both leaders share a common vision in combating terrorism and protecting humanity from violent extremism.
Bwala had made the assertion after Trump designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’
“Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala had said.
He noted that the Trump administration had extended significant support to Nigeria’s security efforts, which President Tinubu has effectively built upon.
“President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms to Nigeria and President Tinubu has adequately utilized the opportunity in the fight against terrorism for which we have massive results to show for it,” the statement added.
Bwala further stated that any perceived differences between the two leaders on the nature of terrorist targets in Nigeria would be addressed during their upcoming engagement.
“As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths and no faiths, the differences if they exist would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or White House,” he said.
The Nigerian presidency’s comments came as President Trump warned that he would deploy the U.S. military to Nigeria if the “killing of Christians” in the country does not stop.
According to Trump, the United States military may come “gun-blazing” into the country.
“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.”
“I am hereby instructing our 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,” he said.
The Nigerian Presidency however issued a statement on Saturday, denying such genocide.
The President emphasised that Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the protection of religious rights and that his administration continues to ensure equality for all faiths across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since assuming office in 2023, his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while working to tackle security challenges that affect citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” he stated.
Tinubu dismissed what he described as a mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s religious landscape by external observers, saying such claims fail to reflect the country’s diversity and the government’s ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President declared.
He stressed that religious tolerance remains central to Nigeria’s national identity, insisting that the government neither supports nor condones persecution based on faith.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he affirmed.
Tinubu further underscored that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths, reiterating that his administration will continue to work with international partners to promote understanding and safeguard communities.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” he said.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.
