China Warns Against US Interference in Nigeria After Trump’s Threats, Sends Strong Message

China Warns Against US Interference in Nigeria After Trump’s Threats, Sends Strong Message

  • China has issued a firm warning against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs
  • The statement follows US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action over alleged Christian persecution
  • Beijing reaffirmed its strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and Nigeria’s development path

The Chinese government has issued a strong warning against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, following recent threats by United States President Donald Trump of possible military action over alleged persecution of Christians.

Speaking at a press briefing on November 4, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing “firmly supports the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”

China backs Tinubu government as tensions rise over Trump’s threat to Nigeria on Christian persecution.
Beijing warns against US interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs amid human rights concerns. Photo credit: officialABAT/Donald Trump/DonajurZhi/X
Source: Twitter

Ning described Nigeria as China’s “comprehensive strategic partner,” and emphasised that Beijing stands by the West African country amid growing international pressure.

China opposes religious pretext for sanctions

“China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” she said.

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Her comments came in response to a question about Trump’s recent remarks, in which the US president warned that Washington could consider military action against Nigeria if reports of religious persecution continued.

Diplomatic support for Nigeria’s government

Beijing’s statement signalled firm diplomatic backing for the Tinubu administration at a time when Nigeria faces increasing scrutiny from Western powers, especially the United States, over its human rights record and internal security challenges.

The exchange has added to tensions between global powers over how to respond to alleged religious and political issues in Africa’s most populous nation.

See the X post below:

Trump’s Threat

United States President Donald Trump has previously issued a warning to Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, suggesting that military action could be considered if such reports persist.

His comments have sparked international concern, with critics viewing the threat as a potential breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty. Trump’s remarks were made in response to claims of religious discrimination and violence targeting Christian communities in the country.

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The statement has drawn sharp reactions globally, including from China, which condemned the use of religion and human rights as a pretext for foreign interference. Beijing reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, calling Nigeria a “comprehensive strategic partner.”

Trump’s threat has added to growing tensions between Nigeria and Western powers over human rights and governance issues. Trump won his re-election in 2024 after losing to US former president Joe Biden in 2020.

Trump’s military threat over alleged Christian persecution draws strong response from Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Trump’s military threat over alleged Christian persecution draws strong response from Chinese Foreign Ministry. Photo credit: Andrew Harnik/GettyImages
Source: Getty Images

US congressman accuses Kwankwaso over sharia law

Legit.ng earlier reported that a sharp exchange unfolded online after US Representative Riley M. Moore responded to Nigerian Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s remarks on President Donald Trump’s recent warning about the country's religious freedom record.

Senator Kwankwaso, who is a former governor of Kano State, had issued a statement expressing concern over President Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a 'country of particular concern'.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.