The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump and the American government against interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs under the pretext of promoting religious freedom or humanitarian intervention.
In a statement on Monday, the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said any attempt by Washington to act outside the limits of the United Nations charter would be viewed as a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The reaction follows Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution a move that has heightened diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington.
“The SDP, as a national political party that promotes the true interest of Nigeria, is greatly worried by the prevailing disconcerting development and discourse that bothers on seeming threats to the sovereignty of the country,” Aiyenigba said.
He admitted that Nigeria’s insecurity challenges had drawn international attention but maintained that such concerns did not justify foreign interference.
According to him, the “underwhelming performance” of Nigeria’s security agencies had made the country vulnerable to criticism, but the solution must come from within.
“If the United States is that concerned about the insecurity and killings in Nigeria, it should offer concrete military support and intelligence collaboration to Nigeria like it is doing to its other allies, including Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and others,” he stated.
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The SDP accused Western nations of double standards, warning that any U.S. intervention could replicate the crises seen in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.
“President Trump or any other foreign leader cannot love Nigeria more than Nigerians love themselves,” Aiyenigba said.
“History has shown that such so-called interventions end in sorrow, tears, and blood.”
The party also urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing insecurity rather than political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The task of securing the lives of Nigerians irrespective of their religions and tribes is more important than considerations for the 2027 general election,” the SDP said.
“The president, therefore, needs to prioritise national security and the betterment of the lives of Nigerians in the remainder of his mandate.”
