The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has warned the United States government and President Donald Trump against any attempt to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs under the pretext of promoting religious freedom or humanitarian intervention.
The warning was issued on Monday by the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, in reaction to Trump’s recent statement designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Aiyenigba described the US government’s position as “unwarranted and intrusive,” urging Washington to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and refrain from actions that could destabilise the country or inflame religious tensions.
According to the SDP spokesman, if the American government is genuinely concerned about the persistent killings and insecurity in Nigeria, it should provide military, technical, and intelligence support to help Nigerian security forces combat terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
“The United States should not use the excuse of religious freedom to interfere in Nigeria’s domestic affairs,” Aiyenigba said. “What the country needs now is genuine partnership and assistance in intelligence sharing and security operations to end the bloodshed and restore peace.”
He added that Nigeria’s internal challenges—especially insecurity—require homegrown solutions, stressing that foreign governments should work collaboratively rather than adopt condescending or punitive measures.
The SDP also urged the Nigerian government to engage diplomatically with Washington to correct any misconceptions about the country’s religious and social landscape.
“The Social Democratic Party stands for peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” Aiyenigba stated. “We reject any external attempt to exploit our internal issues for political or strategic interests.”
He further called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in addressing insecurity, poverty, and social injustice, which, he said, continue to threaten national stability and unity.
