- Afenifere Accuses Trump of Masking Economic Motives Behind Nigeria Threat
- …Says It’s a Political Ploy
- Afenifere warned Nigerians not to fall prey to external powers seeking to destabilize the country
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to invade Nigeria under the pretext of “fighting terrorists,” calling it a politically motivated ploy aimed at undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s independent foreign and economic policies.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described Trump’s accusation that the Nigerian government was complicit in the killing of Christians as unfounded and a deliberate effort to “give a dog a bad name to justify killing it.”
EDITOR’S PICK
- Lagos Govt Clamps Down on Illegal Dredging Sites in Ibeju-Lekki to Protect Residents, Environment
- Rep. Wale Raji Unveils Empowerment Drive, Free 400 Shops, New Roads for Epe Residents
- Princess Surah Animashaun Marks 100 Days in Office With Transformational Achievements in Epe
The group further argued that the rhetoric from the U.S. leader was more about protecting American interests in Nigeria rather than genuine concern for religious persecution.
Afenifere claimed that Trump’s stance was largely driven by economic and political objectives, specifically the desire to maintain U.S. dominance over Nigeria’s policies.
The group pointed to Tinubu’s growing ties with China, his administration’s refusal to comply with U.S. demands regarding deportation, and his stance on oil trade as factors that had strained relations with Washington.
“Trump’s harsh rhetoric is intended to force President Tinubu into negotiations that would serve U.S. economic interests, particularly in the arms and energy sectors,” Afenifere argued. “America does not like Nigeria’s growing assertion of sovereignty, particularly in areas like oil tariffs and foreign policy.”
The organization specifically cited Nigeria’s 15% tariff on U.S. oil imports, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict at the United Nations, and Nigeria’s refusal to accept deportees from the U.S. as actions that had not been well-received in Washington.
On Trump’s claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, Afenifere rejected the allegations, stressing that terrorist attacks in the country were indiscriminate, targeting both Muslims and Christians for economic reasons, rather than religious motivations.
The group blamed international interests for exacerbating instability in resource-rich regions of Nigeria to enable illegal exploitation.
Afenifere warned Nigerians not to fall prey to external powers seeking to destabilize the country. “None of the nations where America has intervened militarily has known peace,” Ajayi noted.
Concluding the statement, Ajayi cautioned Nigerians to remain vigilant, urging them to recognize the underlying motives behind foreign interventions: “Trump can use any excuse to induce or escalate tension.
Nigerians must be careful not to provide justification for external aggression. When we cry, we should open our eyes to see what lies ahead.”
FURTHER READING
- Araromi Kingdom Honours First Crowned Monarch, Oba Arowolo, on Third Coronation Anniversary
- APC Wins All Niger LG Seats
- Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Hail Femi Otedola on 63rd Birthday
Click here to watch video of the week
