By Adesina Soyooye
“Channels have been opened with the US for discussions”
Nigeria rose on Thursday to calm down its citizens, most of whom have become anxious, since the threat by President Donald Trump of the United States of America, to descend on Nigeria because of alleged genocide against its Christian population.
President Trump, in a series of posts and statements after declaring Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, made it clear the US could, and would move in to protect Christians in Nigeria if the Nigerian Government continues to do nothing. President Trump, in fact, thinks the Nigerian Government is complicit in the alleged genocide, an allegation Nigeria vehemently denies
But on Thursday, the Federal Government rose to assure its citizens that both President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria are calm and not panicky over the position of the United States on the alleged genocide against Christians.
It, also, officially disclosed that it has opened up channels of discussion with the US on the issue. It emphasised, and assured, that the FG was committed, as much as ever, to ensuring that all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethic background is safe.
These were stated by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, when he fielded questions from State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Idris: “The Government of Nigeria is responding to the genuine concerns raised and the politics of it, of course, aside, we genuinely are taking the issues seriously.
“But let me also say that Government, even before the events of the last few days, has been extremely committed to ensuring that Nigeria is, indeed, safe for everyone.
“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the Government of Nigeria. And of course, because our Constitution, and we keep mentioning this, guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance, the government of Nigeria is committed to that, will continue to do that, and wherever there is any violence affecting any citizen in this country, the government of Nigeria has indeed the responsibility to ensure that that is being tackled.”
“Let me say that the Government of Nigeria is really very stable. The President is calm. Like we have said, he’s calm. The Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm. That is not to discountenance the issue. We are not saying that.
“Are there issues of security in this country? Yes, there are. Are people being killed in parts of this country? Yes. But is there anything that Government is doing to also checkmate that? Yes, indeed, there are. Is Government also responding to this? Yes, it is.
“But this is being done with the greatest sense of responsibility, while maintaining the balance that we require to face these issues head on.
“Now, to recap, yes, government is responding to some of these issues in a manner that will also reflect who we are as a country, maintain our respect and dignity as a country, and also welcoming the partnership that we so dearly need from everyone, international community, from within, to tackle this issue. Issues of terrorism, violence from extremist is not something that is just done by one country.
“We also have cooperation with national partners, including the United States and Nigeria will continue to engage now.
“Have we had any discussions with the Government of United States? Yes. Channels have been opened. We prefer that this situation is being solved diplomatically. We don’t want to escalate the true rhetoric you have said, we have said, and all that.
“The responsibility that we have as a Government is to ensure that whatever genuine concerns that there are to keep our citizens safe, the Nigerian Government will continue to do that.
“But there is not any panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily and in the interest of our country also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country of what the situation in this
“But let me say for the umpteenth time, Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion. So whatever you practice, whatever is your faith, our Constitution guarantees that you are free to practice that, and the Nigerian government will continue to ensure and will continue to impress on the security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are, and we’re going to also do more so that whatever concern there are, the government of Nigeria will take care of those concerns. “
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