Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take firm diplomatic action against the United States following a threat of military intervention by former US President Donald Trump.
Gumi made the call in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, saying Nigeria must not allow any foreign leader to disrespect its sovereignty. He advised Tinubu to summon the US Ambassador to Nigeria to demand an explanation or officially withdraw Trump’s remarks.
According to him, failure to do so should lead to a complete severance of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the US.
“For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority,” Gumi said. “President Tinubu should summon the US ambassador; they either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties with this irresponsible regime. There are lots of other options for our economic expansion and military alliance.”
The cleric was reacting to Trump’s reported statement warning of possible US military action in Nigeria over what he described as genocide against Christians. The alleged remark has sparked widespread debate and condemnation across Nigeria, with many calling it a baseless and inflammatory claim.
Gumi described the threat as “insulting” and urged Nigerian leaders to defend the country’s sovereignty and image on the global stage. He added that Nigeria should look beyond Western powers in its diplomatic and economic relationships.
The outspoken cleric, known for his strong views on national and international issues, said Nigeria has the capacity to determine its own future without interference from foreign nations.
Trump’s alleged comments have continued to generate controversy online, with Nigerians divided over their authenticity and intent. While some see the statement as a wake-up call for the government to address insecurity, others view it as a deliberate attempt to paint Nigeria in a bad light internationally.
