ADC Criticizes Tinubu Over Trump’s Military Threat Amid Nigeria’s Security Crisis

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following United States President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on October 31, 2025, reflecting mounting global alarm over the nation’s escalating insecurity.

Trump’s pronouncement, which came with a stern warning on his social media platform to the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action” should the continued violence and alleged genocide against Christians persist, has reignited debate over Nigeria’s faltering security architecture.

In a statement released on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described Trump’s move as a clear signal of international concern for the safety of Nigerians, regardless of tribe, religion, or region. The party condemned the Nigerian government’s inability to protect its citizens, noting that “nearly 15,000 lives have been lost to various violent acts since the current administration assumed office in 2023.”

The ADC emphasized that this crisis transcends religious or ethnic divides, warning that the nation faces an existential threat as insecurity deepens. The party highlighted that on the very day of the US declaration, an attack by JNIM, an Al-Qaeda affiliate active in the Sahel, took place in Kwara State—indicating that terror is spreading closer to Nigeria’s southern regions.

Criticizing the Tinubu government’s failure to deploy key diplomatic tools, the ADC questioned why ambassadors remain unappointed more than two years into the administration. The party argued this diplomatic neglect contributes to Nigeria’s diminishing continental stature and international influence.

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Further, the ADC faulted the government’s fixation on politics, propaganda, and self-praise, calling for genuine empathy and urgent accountability. They outlined immediate policy actions needed, including a comprehensive overhaul of the security system, prompt ambassadorial appointments, a foreign policy reset aligned with national interests, targeted economic reforms to curb inflation, and restoration of the depoliticization of public institutions.

While urging the United States and global partners to support Nigeria through institutional strengthening, rather than military threats, the ADC cautioned that armed intervention or the threat of troop mobilization could exacerbate instability and prove counterproductive. The party warned that, although Nigeria is not beyond redemption, time is rapidly running out.

President Tinubu and his aides have, meanwhile, acknowledged insecurity challenges but reject allegations of targeted religious persecution. The presidency has expressed willingness to engage with US counterparts on counterterrorism cooperation, emphasizing respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

As Nigeria grapples with this critical juncture, the ADC’s call for urgent reform and global partnership underscores the demand for effective governance to safeguard the lives and dignity of all Nigerians.