Former Presidential Adviser, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has called on President Bola Tinubu to speak directly to Nigerians following recent threats by the former U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy American troops to Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern that President Tinubu had not personally addressed the issue, warning that his continued silence sends a worrying signal about Nigeria’s leadership.

“If President Tinubu truly has capable advisers and understands the weight of his office, he should have spoken to Nigerians by now,” Baba-Ahmed said. “Our silence makes us appear weak and without direction.”

He cautioned the president against any plan to visit the United States for a meeting with Trump, noting that such a move would “only worsen Nigeria’s image, like receiving a slap and smiling in return.”

Baba-Ahmed urged Tinubu to take decisive steps by addressing the nation, appointing ambassadors, and rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic presence across the world.

Trump had earlier issued a warning to deploy U.S. forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians persisted — a claim the Nigerian government has dismissed as false and misleading.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, maintained that Nigeria is battling terrorism rather than religious persecution, adding that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence.

Meanwhile, China has declared its support for Nigeria, rejecting what it described as foreign interference disguised as concern for religion or human rights.