Former presidential aide and elder statesman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has cautioned Nigerians against falling for what he described as a foreign agenda to divide the country, following reports that the United States, under former President Donald Trump, designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
In a strongly worded post on Facebook, Baba-Ahmed said the alleged move was part of a broader plan to stir religious and political tension within Nigeria, stressing that insecurity in the country affects both Muslims and Christians alike.
“If these reports are true, then we can only say Bismillah, because it means foreign interests are being stirred up against us. The truth is that those killing Nigerians do not distinguish between Muslims and Christians,” he wrote.
He accused Trump and his allies of harbouring ulterior motives, claiming that the U.S. has always been uneasy with large, resource-rich African nations such as Nigeria, Libya, Sudan, and South Africa, which resist foreign dominance.
According to him, the alleged U.S. stance may also be linked to Nigeria’s criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its advocacy for a permanent African seat at the UN Security Council.
“Our only crime is that we spoke the truth — that what Israel is doing in Gaza is worse than what Nazi Germany did to the Jews,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed warned that any form of sanctions or hostile measures from the U.S. would worsen the hardship of ordinary Nigerians, regardless of religion.
“America will not fight a war for Nigerian Christians. It will only deepen the suffering of both Muslims and Christians alike,” he added.
He urged religious and political leaders to rise above division and guide their followers away from manipulation, calling on the government to intensify protection for all citizens.
