Former Presidential Adviser Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally address the nation following the recent U.S. position on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page, Baba-Ahmed said the president’s continued silence amid rising diplomatic tension sends the wrong signal to both citizens and the international community.
“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 outline the steps he intends to take.”
He cautioned that failing to speak directly to the people gives an impression of weakness and indecision.
“This silence suggests we have no voice or direction,” Baba-Ahmed added.
Responding to reports that President Tinubu might consider travelling to the United States to meet former President Donald Trump, Baba-Ahmed advised against such a move, saying it would be diplomatically damaging.
“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 criticised the administration for failing to appoint ambassadors more than a year after taking office, noting that the absence of diplomatic representation had weakened Nigeria’s engagement with other nations.
“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 decisively by strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations and restoring public confidence.
“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,” he concluded.
The statement comes as international attention intensifies over reports of targeted violence against Christians in parts of Nigeria and Washington’s growing criticism of the government’s response.
