FG’s response to Trump threat misguided – Plateau cleric, El-Buba

Plateau Cleric El-Buba Criticizes FG’s Response to Trump’s Threat as Misguided

In a recent interview, Prophet Isa El-Buba, the General Overseer of the Evangelical Outreach Ministries International based in Jos, Plateau State, expressed strong disapproval of the Nigerian Federal Government’s response to a controversial threat made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump had reportedly threatened military intervention in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, a claim that has sparked significant diplomatic tension and public discourse.

El-Buba, a prominent cleric and vocal advocate for peace and security, described the Nigerian government’s reaction to Trump’s remarks as “misguided.” He argued that rather than addressing the root causes of the insecurity and religious violence plaguing the country, the government appeared more focused on managing international perception and defending its image.

El-Buba emphasized that the ongoing violence in Plateau State and other regions, marked by killings, kidnappings, and attacks, continues to devastate communities, with little effective intervention from the authorities. He cited recent incidents in Riyom and Pushit communities in Plateau, where several lives were lost, as evidence of the government’s failure to protect its citizens.

The cleric’s criticism comes amid a broader international response to Trump’s comments. Global actors such as the European Union, ECOWAS, and China have rejected the notion of a religious genocide in Nigeria, instead highlighting the multifaceted nature of the country’s security challenges.

These international bodies stressed that violence in Nigeria is driven by a complex mix of factors, including ethnic tensions, economic disparities, and terrorism, rather than a targeted campaign against Christians.

In contrast, the Nigerian Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed Trump’s threat and the accompanying allegations as being based on misinformation.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom and insisted that Nigeria remains a secular state where all faiths are constitutionally protected. Idris also reassured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is fully capable of managing any diplomatic fallout and maintaining strong bilateral relations with the United States.

El-Buba, however, contended that such diplomatic reassurances do little to address the lived realities of Nigerians, particularly those in conflict-prone regions. He urged the government to prioritize internal security reforms and community-based peacebuilding efforts over public relations campaigns aimed at foreign governments. According to him, the focus should be on tangible actions that restore trust and safety among citizens, rather than dismissing international concerns outright.

The cleric’s remarks have added a critical voice to the ongoing debate about Nigeria’s security situation and the government’s handling of international scrutiny.

As tensions simmer, both domestically and abroad, El-Buba’s intervention underscores the urgent need for a more grounded and people-centered approach to governance and national security.