By Euclid Myke, Abuja
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed concern over recent comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, following Washington’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
Nigeria was first placed on the U.S. special watchlist in 2019 under Trump’s administration but was later delisted in 2021 by President Joe Biden. The renewed designation has reignited debate over the country’s human rights record and the handling of security challenges in its northern and southeastern regions.
Trump on Friday accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to attacks on Christians, sparking widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political and religious spectrum.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier rejected Trump’s labelling of Nigeria, insisting that the country remains a vibrant democracy built on constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday, Kwankwaso described Trump’s remarks as “worrisome”, warning that such comments could deepen divisions and threaten Nigeria’s fragile unity if not handled carefully.
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country,
“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” Kwankwaso said.
The former Defence Minister stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges are multifaceted and not rooted in religion, urging the international community to avoid framing the crisis through sectarian lenses.
Kwankwaso advised the United States to support Nigeria with advanced technology and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, rather than issue politically charged statements.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country,” he said.
The Kwankwasiyya leader further called on the federal government to respond to the development with measured diplomacy by strengthening engagement with Washington. According to him, Nigeria must project its interests more assertively through seasoned diplomats and permanent ambassadors.
“The Nigerian government should also consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government.
“Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage,” he suggested.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain united and patriotic, saying the current development presents a test of the nation’s cohesion and diplomatic maturity.
“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division,” he added.
The NNPP leader’s intervention comes amid growing diplomatic unease following Washington’s latest human rights designation.
