Trump’s Threat: Ex envoy warns Tinubu against visiting Trump

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has warned President Bola Tinubu against visiting U.S. President, Donald Trump, describing such move as politically insensitive and diplomatically unnecessary.

Recall that Trump on Friday, named Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over the alleged persecution of Christians.

Trump also warned that Nigeria could lose US aid if it fails to tackle insecurity.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, and monitored by our correspondent in Abeokuta, Farounbi insisted that Tinubu must avoid actions that portray Nigeria as seeking validation from leaders who have little regard for Africa’s dignity.

He maintained that Trump’s recent rhetoric on Nigeria and his past policies towards the continent showed “a lack of respect for African nations.”

Farounbi blamed Trump’s recent decision on Nigeria’s poor diplomatic response to international criticism, describing the U.S. action as a predictable outcome of silence and inaction.

He said, “Nigeria’s president represents the soul of over 200 million people. He should not visit anyone who once called African nations ‘shithole countries.’ We must act like a nation that values itself, not one begging to be recognized.

“We cannot claim we didn’t see this coming. For years, Catholic bishops from Benue and Plateau States have appeared before the U.S. Congress and European Parliament, presenting statistics of Christians killed by militants, yet Nigeria offered no strong counter-narrative.”

The veteran diplomat expressed concern that Nigeria had not maintained a full-fledged ambassador in Washington for years, leaving the country’s image undefended.

Farounbi noted that the international community often relies on reports and testimonies submitted by advocacy groups and NGOs, many of which operate with bias or limited understanding of Nigeria’s complexities.

“When you refuse to speak for yourself, others will speak for you,” he warned. “And when they do, they will not tell your story with fairness.”

He asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Nigeria’s embassies, empower diplomats, and ensure accurate representation of the nation’s challenges.

Meanwhile, Farounbi urged the Nigerian government to confront insecurity not through propaganda but through justice, fairness, and respect for human rights.

DAILYPOST