Trump Right To Call Nigeria “Now Disgraced Nation”; Says Peter Obi
On Wednesday, Peter Obi, The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, said the United States President, Donald Trump’s recent description of Nigeria as a “now disgraced nation” reflects the grim reality of worsening insecurity and political instability across the country.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi recalled that a few weeks ago, when Trump described Nigeria as a “now disgraced nation”, many Nigerians were outraged.
“A few weeks ago, when President Trump described our country as “now disgraced,” many were outraged. Yet, how can we dispute it when, within a single week, 25 people were kidnapped, and one of our generals along with other officers was killed? Today, we witness another troubling terror attack in Kwara State. Rather than uniting in this critical moment, we are consumed by internal wrangling, party squabbles, and distractions.”
Obi was referring to remarks Trump made in late October, where he condemned the Nigerian government’s handling of alleged Christian genocide and insecurity.
In a statement he posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump, who threatened to take military action in Nigeria said, “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.”
The comment sparked strong reactions in Nigeria, with some officials insisting the U.S. president was unfairly denigrating the country.
However, Obi in his statement argued that the worsening ongoing violent attacks and killings, including the fresh terror incident in Kebbi State on Monday, where 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped, and the horrible terrorist attack on a church in Kwara State on Tuesday, validate Trump’s assessment.
The former Anambra State governor accused the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian Government of deliberately fuelling crises across major opposition parties to weaken the democratic space.
“Look closely at what is happening in the PDP, the Labour Party, SDP, and other political formations, crises deliberately orchestrated by a government that should be embracing everyone so we can unite in this troubling period,” he stated.
Obi contrasted the current political climate with the approach taken under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He recalled a period of internal crisis in his former political party when Yar’Adua directed the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, to protect the stability of all political parties.
“I am reminded of a pivotal moment under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. During an internal crisis in my then-political party, he instructed the INEC Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, that the stability of every political party, not just the ruling party, was essential for democracy. No party was to be undermined; all were to function within the law,” Obi said.
“What we witness today is the opposite. The current government seems more intent on weakening parties than strengthening our democracy, seeking to fragment the PDP, Labour Party, SDP, and others.”
He added that true democratic governance demands respect for the opposition, credible elections, and an inclusive approach to leadership.
“In democratic nations, opposition is respected, elections reflect the will of the people, and governance involves carrying everyone along for peace and prosperity.”
Obi’s remarks come amid heightened concerns over the worsening nationwide insecurity, including frequent kidnappings, rising extremist attacks, and growing public frustration over the government’s response.
