APC USA Seeks Dialogue as Trump Threatens Action Against Nigeria
The All Progressives Congress in the United States (APC USA) has called on President Donald Trump to prioritize diplomacy over military threats following America’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” on issues of religious freedom.
In a statement released in Washington on Tuesday, APC USA Chairman, Prof. Tai Balofin, praised Trump’s commitment to global religious liberty but appealed for dialogue as the most effective path toward resolving Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
“President Trump’s vigilance honours the sacred values that unite America and Nigeria. Yet, in the annals of statecraft, it is through dialogue not division that enduring peace is forged,” Balofin said.
Trump’s comments, made on October 31 and followed by a Truth Social post on November 2 calling for U.S. forces to “prepare for possible action,” drew widespread international reactions. President Bola Tinubu, in response via his X handle, dismissed the U.S. designation as a “gross exaggeration,” reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to combating extremism and promoting national unity.
Balofin cautioned that foreign observers often misinterpret Nigeria’s security situation, noting that much of the violence reported occurred before Tinubu assumed office in 2023. He argued that the administration has since demonstrated commitment to restoring peace and order.
Citing the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where over 200 Christians were killed, Balofin commended Tinubu’s immediate intervention, which led to arrests and swift government response. He said Tinubu’s actions sent a strong message that impunity would no longer be tolerated.
He dismissed claims that the government is indifferent to insecurity, describing them as “politically motivated attempts to discredit Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.”
According to Balofin, “Tinubu’s political opposition is actively working to frustrate his government and undermine its transformative agenda. These distortions, amplified internationally, aim to damage his reputation and discourage foreign investment.”
He urged the United States to focus on strengthening its partnership with Nigeria through judicial reforms, interfaith dialogue, and diaspora-led initiatives that encourage mutual understanding.
Balofin assured Nigerians in the diaspora that ongoing diplomatic engagements would help ease tensions and correct misconceptions. “Through APC USA’s advocacy and backchannel engagements, President Trump will receive the full tableau of facts, averting any military horizon. Your bridge-building endures; harbor no undue alarm,” he said.
He concluded that the controversy could serve as a chance to reinforce U.S.-Nigeria relations based on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared democratic values.
