Fabian Apechihin

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has stirred widespread debate after alleging that former U.S. President Barack Obama played a role in his 2015 electoral loss.

According to a report by Arise News on Monday, November 3, 2025, Jonathan accused Obama of meddling in Nigeria’s democratic process, describing his actions during the election period as “biased” and “condescending.”

The former president claimed that Obama’s now-famous video address to Nigerians days before the election amounted to interference aimed at ensuring his defeat.

“On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians all but telling them how to vote,” Jonathan said.

In his memoir, My Transition Hours, Jonathan elaborated on the incident, asserting that Obama’s message subtly encouraged Nigerians to “open the next chapter” — a phrase he interpreted as a call to vote for the opposition.

“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government,” Jonathan wrote.

Jonathan expressed disappointment that such a statement came from a global leader who was expected to remain neutral during another country’s election. He described the message as a “deliberate attempt” to shape Nigeria’s political outcome rather than a gesture of diplomatic goodwill.

According to Premium Times, which obtained an advance copy of the book ahead of its public release in Abuja, Jonathan deliberately withheld the manuscript until launch to prevent media leaks.

Following the revelation, Nigerians took to social media to share mixed reactions.
While some sympathized with the former president, saying his claims highlighted Western interference in African politics, others argued that Obama’s message merely encouraged peaceful and credible elections, not support for any candidate.

The controversy has since reignited discussions about foreign influence in Nigeria’s democratic processes and the true extent of international involvement in the country’s 2015 election.

Fabian Apechihin

Former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), has called on Nigerians to close ranks and defend the nation’s sovereignty amid what he described as a “grave threat” posed by recent remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump recently reignited controversy over Nigeria’s security situation by redesignating the country as one of “particular concern.” In a statement released on Friday, he accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from attacks by “Islamic terrorists” and claimed the country was witnessing a “Christian genocide.”

He further threatened to halt all U.S. aid to Nigeria and even hinted at possible military intervention, saying: “The USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists killing Christians.”

The remarks have sparked international alarm, with fears of a diplomatic fallout between Washington and Abuja.

Speaking in a telephone interview from London on Monday, Abdulsalami cautioned that Trump’s rhetoric could destabilize Nigeria if not handled carefully. He urged citizens to remain calm, united, and focused on national interests.

“Unity, wisdom, and diplomacy must take precedence over division and pride at this critical moment,” he said.

The former head of state also appealed to the U.S. government to pursue constructive engagement with Nigeria instead of issuing threats. According to him, “strategic dialogue” and mutual respect remain the most effective paths toward lasting cooperation on security matters.

He advised the Nigerian government to rely on quiet diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and preserve the long-standing partnership between both nations.

Fabian Apechihin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he is ready to support U.S. President Donald Trump if such cooperation will help Nigeria overcome terrorism and insecurity.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike addressed growing international concern over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, emphasizing that his priority is national security rather than politics.

“I will support Trump in providing and supporting Nigeria with technology in the fight against terrorism,” the minister stated, noting that the safety of Nigerians must come before political considerations.

Wike rejected claims that he was silent on killings for political reasons, saying, “We must stop these killings. It’s not for me to capitalize that people are dying in Plateau or Benue. Human lives are more important than politics.”

He also questioned the framing of insecurity as a “Christian genocide,” arguing that victims cut across all faiths.
“Who knows? Someone dies—do we ask if he is a Christian, a Muslim, or a non-believer? We should stop using religion to divide ourselves,” he said.

Recalling his visit to Maiduguri in 2011 at the height of Boko Haram attacks, Wike revealed that a school he had visited was bombed shortly after he left.
“I was the first minister under Boko Haram to go to Maiduguri… that same day, that school was burnt down,” he recounted, stressing the long-standing nature of terrorism in the region.

Wike maintained that Nigeria should welcome genuine international support against terrorism.
“I will support any country that wants to provide solutions to help the Nigerian government fight terrorism,” he said, adding that collaboration with global partners remains vital to restoring peace and security.