In a pointed response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over issues related to religious freedom and security, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and former Kano State Governor, has called on the American administration to provide technological support rather than actions that could exacerbate divisions in the country.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Kwankwaso emphasized Nigeria’s sovereignty and the indiscriminate nature of its security threats.
“I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”” he wrote.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence and 2023 presidential candidate for the NNPP, highlighted that the insecurity plaguing Nigeria affects all citizens regardless of their backgrounds. “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,” he stated in the post.
Rather than imposing designations that might polarize the nation further, Kwankwaso urged the U.S. to collaborate on practical solutions. “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 appealed.
The NNPP leader also advised the Nigerian government to take diplomatic steps to address the issue. “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,” Kwankwaso recommended.
Concluding his message on a note of national unity, Kwankwaso called on Nigerians to prioritize cohesion amid external pressures. “To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria. – RMK,” he wrote.
Kwankwaso’s intervention underscores the need for constructive international partnerships to address Nigeria’s persistent challenges with banditry, insurgency, and communal conflicts.
