Ex-Aide To Buhari Reacts To Trump’s Controversial Move Against Nigeria

Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has criticized both some Nigerians and United States officials over Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the Trump administration.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, placed Nigeria on the CPC list amid allegations of genocide and persecution of Christians. This decision followed claims by American lawmakers and advocacy groups that over 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria this year—a figure the Nigerian government has strongly rejected, insisting that the nation’s insecurity “targets no specific religion.”

On Friday, Trump stated on Truth Social that Christianity in Nigeria is facing “an existential threat,” adding, “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”

Reacting on his X handle, Ahmad, who previously served as Special Assistant on Digital Communications to former President Muhammadu Buhari, accused certain Nigerian pastors of colluding with foreign officials to push for the CPC designation.

“Some of our own countrymen, aided by certain U.S. officials, have finally landed us in this mess,” he wrote.

Ahmad also warned that the move could undermine Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, given the country’s heavy reliance on the United States for advanced weaponry and intelligence support.

“Nigeria has relied almost entirely on the United States in its fight against terrorism, purchasing the bulk of our sophisticated weapons from them. Now, with these new sanctions, how are we supposed to effectively confront the very terrorists committing these atrocities?” he questioned.