Former Governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Lamido, has expressed grave concern over the threat of war on Nigeria reportedly emanating from U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as “ominous” and capable of triggering unimaginable consequences.
Lamido, in a strongly worded statement on Saturday, called on Nigerians across all divides to unite in defense of the nation’s sovereignty, stressing that the situation demands national solidarity rather than political division.
“The threat of war on Nigeria from President Trump of the United States of America under whatever guise is very ominous. The consequences of such action cannot be imagined,” he said.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put aside personal pride and urgently convene a closed-door meeting with all past leaders and heads of state to chart a collective national response.
“President Tinubu must swallow his pride and invite all our past leaders for a closed-door meeting to discuss and find a way around this dangerous development,” Lamido appealed.
According to him, former presidents and heads of state are strategically positioned to engage Washington and President Trump through quiet diplomacy outside media channels to de-escalate the situation and address any underlying issues.
Lamido warned that Nigeria no longer has the luxury of time, emphasizing that unity, wisdom, and diplomacy must prevail over division and pride at this critical juncture.
Earlier on Sunday, a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, urged the United States to assist Nigeria in fighting insecurity rather than issuing threats of launching an attack on the West African nation.
On Friday, the US redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern after President Trump expressed concern that Christianity faces an existential threat in the country, with a lot of Christians being killed.
Trump took it a notch higher on Saturday, threatening to send the military into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing” if Africa’s most populous country does not stem what he described as the killing of Christians by Islamists.
Kwankwaso, reacting on Sunday, said: “I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.”
Writing further on X, Kwankwaso called on the Nigerian government to also consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government.
Additionally, he said it is necessary for the Federal Government to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.
The former governor also called for unity among Nigerians, saying: “To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division.”
