Former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize dialogue over confrontation in addressing the diplomatic tensions with the United States of America, specifically involving President Donald Trump. This appeal comes in the wake of threats from the US government regarding potential military action against Nigeria, stemming from allegations of Christian genocide occurring under President Tinubu’s administration. Bafarawa also called upon all Nigerians to unite and support President Tinubu's endeavors to reposition the country.

Bafarawa, in a statement released on Tuesday, emphasized the critical importance of fostering and strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between Nigeria and America. He advised President Tinubu to avoid any confrontational stance and instead engage the American government through established channels to present Nigeria’s perspective on the accusations. According to Bafarawa, it is in Nigeria's best interest to ensure that this vital international relationship remains robust.

Beyond the diplomatic impasse, the former governor also stressed the necessity for President Tinubu to take the international community's concerns regarding Nigeria’s security situation with utmost seriousness. He urged the President to intensify efforts to combat insurgency and other forms of criminality across the country, thereby preventing future situations that could trigger such grave threats from international partners like the US.

Furthermore, Bafarawa appealed to the collective spirit of Nigerians, urging them to set aside differences in religion, ethnicity, region, and political affiliations. He underscored that supporting the Tinubu administration is crucial for navigating the enormous challenges the country faces, asserting that President Tinubu’s success or failure is inextricably linked to the success or failure of the entire nation. He explicitly stated, “I call on all Nigerians to join hands together with President Tinubu to succeed because his failure is our failure, and his success is our success. He needs our collective support.”

The backdrop to this urgent call for dialogue and national unity is the recent investigation launched by the US Congress into reports of Christian genocide in Nigeria. The US had also designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern. This development, coupled with President Trump’s explicit threat of military action should the alleged trend persist, has generated significant apprehension not only within the Tinubu presidency but among all Nigerians.