By Ghazali Ibrahim
China has declared strong support for Nigeria amid escalating diplomatic tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention over alleged religious persecution in the country.
During a press conference on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said Beijing stands firmly with Nigeria as it navigates its internal security issues and development priorities.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or to threaten them with sanctions or force,” Mao stated.
Her remarks were in direct response to questions about President Trump’s recent order directing the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for potential action in Nigeria.
Trump accused the Nigerian government of ignoring attacks on Christians and warned that the United States could move in “guns-a-blazing” to “wipe out” Islamic terrorists operating in the country.
Declaring Nigeria a “disgraced country,” Trump also threatened to cut off U.S. aid and assistance unless immediate measures were taken to stop alleged killings of Christians.
The Nigerian government swiftly rejected the allegations.
President Bola Tinubu insisted the claims misrepresented the country’s reality and ignored ongoing efforts to protect freedom of religion.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said in a statement.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”
China’s intervention marks the first major international backing for Nigeria since Trump’s threat raised concerns over possible foreign military action.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Presidency has said that Tinubu and Trump are expected to meet “in the coming days” to resolve their differences, but no specific date has been announced.
