A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to engage respected Nigerians with strong international credibility to interface directly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
His comment follows Trump’s recent decision to designate Nigeria as “a country of particular concern,” over alleged attacks on Christians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Momodu advised the president to put politics aside and reach out to Nigerians who have the global influence and diplomatic access needed at this moment.
“Nigeria is blessed with some of the most brilliant minds in the world,” he said.
“Many Nigerians are internationally recognised and connected. My advice to the president is not to treat this like everyday politics. Reach out to these people, whether they belong to your party or not.”
He warned that depending solely on presidential advisers may not achieve much, adding that diplomacy often succeeds based on who delivers the message.
Momodu also reacted to the viral video where Trump restated his position on Nigeria, describing the U.S. president as “very convinced” by the briefings he received.
“He thinks the Nigerian government is not serious and may try to buy time and continue business as usual,” he said.
He urged Tinubu to consult elder statesmen such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, Theophilus Danjuma, and other respected voices on the best way to respond.
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Momodu dismissed claims that the opposition instigated Trump’s comments, insisting that Christian lobbyists had drawn attention to the killings.
“How can an opposition still trying to organise itself have the time to go to Washington? I read that it was a bishop from Benue State,” he noted.
The Federal Government has maintained that terrorist attacks in the country are not targeted at any religious group.
