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Eminent Professor Reveals Secret Reasons Trump Wants to Invade Nigeria
Professor Lai Olurode says Donald Trump’s threat of military action against Nigeria stems from racial, economic, and political interests rather than religion
The retired sociology professor links Trump’s hostility to Nigeria’s growing oil independence, led by the Dangote Refinery, and its global cultural influence
Olurode urges President Tinubu to maintain calm diplomacy and national unity in responding to what he describes as Trump’s “provocative and dangerous” rhetoric
A former national commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has described United States President Donald Trump’s recent military threat against Nigeria as a calculated political ploy driven by racial prejudice, economic self-interest, and geopolitical manipulation rather than concern for Christians in the country.
Mr Trump recently listed Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and warned that his administration would take military action if what he termed “the genocide of Christians” did not stop.
The Nigerian government dismissed the claim as baseless, explaining that terrorist attacks within the country affect both Muslims and Christians and that there is no official policy promoting persecution.
In a statement shared with and reported by Premium Times, Professor Olurode described Trump’s allegations as a “smokescreen” masking deeper motives.
“Nigeria has, over the years, suffered indiscriminate terrorist attacks that target military installations, public infrastructure, economic assets, and all places of worship — Christian and Muslim alike,” he said.
“There’s hardly any state in the country that has not fallen victim to such violence. Yet, under the present administration, there are emerging indicators that acts of terrorism are actually declining.”
According to Olurode, Trump’s posture is rooted in a long-standing bias against non-white nations.
“Since his campaign for the White House, Trump has demonstrated hatred for black Americans and colored people generally,” he said.
“His immigration policies were hallmarks of racial bigotry and opposition to the melting-pot ideal that America once stood for.”
The professor said Trump’s policies have consistently eroded America’s image as a multicultural nation and weakened international cooperation.
He further linked Trump’s position to economic developments in Nigeria, particularly the success of the Dangote Refinery, which he believes has altered America’s economic influence in the region.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, we are refining our own oil. This development undoubtedly reduces dependency on American oil workers, shippers, and refineries,” he said.
“The Dangote phenomenon must be giving America sleepless nights. As Walter Rodney once argued in How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the West prefers Africa to remain dependent. A self-sufficient Nigeria disrupts that structure.”
America fears a stable Nigerian democracy Olurode said Nigeria’s rising global cultural influence is reshaping perceptions abroad, something some conservative American leaders find uncomfortable.
“Nigerians in the diaspora are not just economic migrants; they are cultural ambassadors. Our music, art, and entrepreneurship are now embedded in the social fabric of major Western cities. Trump and his allies are no friends of this multicultural reality,” he said.
He also linked the tension to political calculations by powerful nations that seek to weaken emerging democracies.
“America’s global triumph feeds on fueling instability in fledgling democracies. Few powerful nations ever believed Nigeria could sustain 25 years of uninterrupted democracy,” he said.
While condemning Trump’s “provocative and dangerous” remarks, Olurode urged President Bola Tinubu to act with restraint and diplomacy.
He called on political and intellectual elites to stand together in defense of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“If Nigeria goes under, there will be no country left for our diverse aspirations,” he warned.
Earlier, The Daily Voice reported that former Kano state governor and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to recent threats from United States President Donald Trump over allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
He said the US should assist Nigeria in fighting insecurity instead of issuing military threats.
Kwankwaso’s statement follows Trump’s comments and a directive to the US Department of War to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria
The American president had accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to the “killing of Christians” and warned that his administration might stop all aid to the country.
Responding on Sunday, November 2, Kwankwaso described Nigeria as a sovereign nation whose citizens face security challenges from various armed groups. He said insecurity in the country affects people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds.
The former defense minister urged Washington to adopt a more constructive approach by supporting Nigeria through technological and intelligence collaboration. According to him, such cooperation would help the country combat terrorism and other forms of criminality more effectively.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarize our country,” he said.
Kwankwaso also advised the federal government to appoint special envoys and permanent ambassadors to engage the American government on issues of mutual concern. He said maintaining diplomatic dialogue is crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s interests and ensuring balanced international relations.
The Daily Voice earlier reported that Nigeria’s Foreign ministry commented on the claim that Nigerian Christians were being killed in massive proportions. According to the government ministry, the claim by the United States President Donald Trump did not reflect the reality on the ground.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to give Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a defined role in his 2027 presidential campaign, with the former Rivers State governor expected to coordinate the campaign structure in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The arrangement is expected to allow Tinubu’s campaign to benefit from Wike’s political network in the two territories while avoiding a formal change in the minister’s party affiliation.
Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite his open support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
This appointment is coming against the background of disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over the best way to mobilise support for Tinubu.
Wike has consistently maintained that he does not need to join the APC before supporting the President in 2027.
He has also rejected the idea that his political relevance should be measured by whether he occupies a top position in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
In August, Wike made his position clear after the APC unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council and appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General.
The FCT minister said he would rather concentrate on Rivers State and the FCT than pursue the position of campaign director-general.
“What’s important is that you are able to deliver those two states. So it’s not about being DG. If you’re DG and you don’t win your state, what’s the essence of the DG?” Wike said.
“I don’t want to lose my state,” he added.
The proposed arrangement would therefore give Wike a specific responsibility without placing him under the formal hierarchy of the APC.
His expected assignment is particularly significant because of his political influence in Rivers State, where he served as governor for eight years, and the FCT, where he has served as minister since 2023.
Wike has repeatedly claimed responsibility for the political structure in both territories and has promised to work for Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election.
During a recent media engagement, he described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and insisted that occupying the office of governor was not the only way to remain politically influential in a state.
“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge,” Wike said.
The minister has also drawn a distinction between supporting Tinubu for president and supporting individual candidates seeking other elective positions.
He recently said his support for the President should not be interpreted as an undertaking to help politicians win their respective state-level contests.
Wike said his focus would remain the presidential election and that politicians seeking victories in governorship and legislative elections should handle their own political battles.
“Rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is our own way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term,” Wike said.
The Rainbow Coalition promoted by Wike is made up of politicians and political interests from different parties who support Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
However, the arrangement has created tension with some APC governors who have questioned the need for a separate political structure outside the party.
The disagreement became more pronounced after Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, announced that APC governors had rejected the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike subsequently criticised some APC governors, including Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He accused some politicians of being more interested in being seen as the people working for Tinubu than in building genuine support for the President.
“You see, the problem with people, they want them to be seen, that they are the people working for the President. I don’t do that,” Wike said.
Under the new role, Wike would focus on Rivers and the FCT, while other senior members of the campaign would handle their own areas of responsibility.
Yari is expected to remain Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council.
However, the proposed structure is not expected to operate strictly through a single chain of command.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau are reportedly not expected to report directly to Yari despite their roles within the campaign structure.
Another prominent figure expected to play a major role in the campaign is Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo is being considered for a major spokesperson position in the campaign.
He has considerable experience in presidential campaign communication.
He served as a spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs during Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign.
He also played a senior communications role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.
Keyamo later served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment under Buhari before becoming the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development under Tinubu.
The Niger State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew following protests over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the state.
The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, announced the curfew during a press conference on Friday.
According to the governor, the curfew takes effect immediately after Juma’at prayers on Friday.
The development follows protests sparked by the deaths of the 37 miners, who were reportedly arrested over alleged illegal mining activities.
Recall that the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, ordered an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects arrested over alleged illegal mining were found dead while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has declared Monday a work-free day across the state in honour of the late former Governor of Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Mohammed Tukur.
The declaration came a day after Tukur was buried in Yola following funeral prayers held at the Lamido’s Palace on Sunday.
Daily Voice reports that political leaders, traditional rulers, family members, associates and sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects to the elder statesman.
Fintiri announced the work-free day in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, saying the decision was intended to give residents an opportunity to honour Tukur and reflect on his contributions to Adamawa State and Nigeria.Nigeria travel guides
The governor described Tukur as a prominent statesman whose contributions to the growth and development of the state and the country would remain part of his enduring legacy.
According to Fintiri, the work-free day is part of activities surrounding the three-day mourning period earlier declared by his administration following the death of the former Gongola State governor.
Fintiri urged residents to use Monday to pray for the peaceful repose of Tukur’s soul and seek comfort for his family, friends and other people affected by his death.
He also directed that government flags across Adamawa State would continue to fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the late statesman.
However, the governor clarified that the declaration would not affect essential services, directing workers in critical sectors to continue their duties.
The latest announcement follows Fintiri’s earlier declaration of three days of mourning after Tukur died on Saturday at the age of 90.
At the time, the governor had described the death as a major loss to Adamawa State and Nigeria, recalling Tukur’s long years of service in public life.Nigeria travel guides
“It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former Governor of Gongola State and an elder statesman whose contributions to our state and nation will remain indelible,” Fintiri had said.
The governor had also announced that government flags would be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
“In his honour and in recognition of his selfless service, I have declared three days of mourning across Adamawa State, during which all government flags will fly at half-mast,” he said.
Fintiri further extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, associates and the people of Adamawa State, saying they were united in grief over the death of the former governor.
“My heart goes out to his family, associates, and the good people of our state during this period of grief,” he said.
Tukur’s family had announced his death in a statement signed by his son, Awwal D. Tukur, on behalf of the family. The statement said the former PDP chairman had “returned to his Creator” after a lifetime devoted to public service, business and community development.
The family described Tukur as a man whose influence extended beyond his immediate family to Adamawa State and Nigeria, citing his wisdom, generosity and commitment to national development.
It also expressed appreciation to Nigerians and others who offered prayers, condolences and support following his death.
Tukur was one of the prominent political figures from the old Gongola region and occupied several important positions during his decades in public and private life.
He served as the third civilian governor of the defunct Gongola State, an entity that existed before the creation of Adamawa and Taraba states. His tenure remains part of the political history of the region.
Beyond his role as governor, Tukur served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha. He was also involved in business and economic development activities and, in 2012, served as president of the Africa Business Roundtable.
Tukur later became national chairman of the PDP in March 2012, remaining in the position until January 2014 during a politically turbulent period in Nigeria.Nigeria travel guides
His death came shortly before his 91st birthday, which would have been celebrated on September 15.
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