Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has declared that President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria Country of Particular Concern tas not a true picture of the country.
He said the designation it failed to reflect the true nature and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives who fielded questions from journalists in Sokoto, said bandits , gunmen and terrorists in different parts of the country are common criminals waging war against citizens of all faiths.
Tambuwal said the bandits , gunmen and terrorists neither respect nor represent any religion, adding that they were merely seeking available targets to attack.
While acknowledging rising insecurity as “very concerning and alarming,” the former Senator told political leaders and the international community not to politicise Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Tambuwal made the remarks on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Sokoto, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump.
the designation as “quite unfortunate,”
“I would like to believe that President Trump and the American government did not fully grasp or appreciate the Nigerian situation. What we are facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“These marauders do not represent any religion. How else can one explain what they are doing in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and other states? They are common criminals, attacking every soul they come across.
“You can’t even go to the mosque or the church safely. So this is not about a particular section of the country or a particular religion. It is about Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor aligned himself with the Vatican’s position on Nigeria, noting that the Pope had rightly acknowledged that Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike—are victims of widespread insecurity.
Tambuwal said insecurity has become a national problem that has gone beyond politics, ethnicity and religion, adding that collective action is urgently needed.
He urged the United States and other global partners to reconsider their stance and instead support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in addressing the crisis.
“It’s not about Bola Tinubu as a person. It’s not about APC or party politics. It’s about our country. Any country—America, France, the UK, Canada—that can support Nigeria to overcome insecurity should please do so,” the former governor said.
