Why Tinubu shouldn’t meet Trump in US over alleged Christian genocide – Baba-Ahmed

Former adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said the Nigeria leader going to Washington to meet US President, Donald Trump, over alleged Christian genocide in the country would mean being slapped and smiling in return.

Baba-Ahmed expressed concern over Tinubu’s continued silence over the allegations of a state-sponsored killings of Christians and the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed stated that the president ought to have personally addressed the nation by now.

“If President Tinubu truly has competent advisers and understands the weight of leadership, he should have spoken to Nigerians already,” he wrote.

“This is not the time for ministers or aides to issue statements. The President himself should calm the nation, explain our position, and state the steps he intends to take.”

He cautioned that the president’s silence gives the impression of a weak nation.

“This silence suggests we have no voice or direction,” he said.

Responding to reports that President Tinubu may be planning a visit to the United States to meet with Donald Trump, Baba-Ahmed advised against such a move.

“At this critical moment, Tinubu should not even consider travelling to America to meet Trump. Doing so would damage Nigeria’s image further. It would be like receiving a slap and smiling in return,” he stated.

He also faulted the administration for its failure to appoint ambassadors more than a year after taking office.

“We have said it repeatedly appoint ambassadors. Right now, many countries hardly engage with Nigeria because we lack official diplomatic representation.”

“A nation without ambassadors is practically invisible in global affairs,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed urged the president to act swiftly, “If Tinubu listens to those who genuinely care about this nation, he must act now, appoint ambassadors, restore Nigeria’s diplomatic strength, and speak directly to the people he governs.”