Alleged Christian Persecution: New Twist as Cleric Accuses Donald Trump of Targeting Nigeria’s Oil
- Tunde Bakare has claimed President Donald Trump's designation of Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern' was due to interest in the country's oil
- Bakare spoke after Trump's declaration and the congressional hearing on November 20 about the rising insecurity in Nigeria
- Trump had accused Nigeria of allowing targeted killings of Christians, but Bakare faulted the narrative
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Ikeja, Lagos state - Tunde Bakare, a popular Lagos-based pastor, has claimed that the motive behind United States (US) president, Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a 'country of particular concern' and his allegations of Christian genocide is the American president’s interest in Nigeria’s oil wealth.
As reported by The Punch, Bakare said the Trump administration considers Nigeria’s oil wealth, other mineral resources and critical sectors such as real estate as central to its agenda.
Source: Twitter
Bakare alerts Nigeria on Trump
Per The Cable, Bakare spoke on Sunday, November 30, during a state of the nation address at the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos.
Bakare asserted that “It was clear to us that President Donald Trump was going to have a particular interest in Nigeria.
He said:
“Nigeria’s oil wealth and other mineral resources will be critical to the Trump presidency, as will our role in the value chain of emerging technologies.”
Furthermore, Bakare said he received a vision, and the 'symbolic attire' in the spiritual insight pointed to “religious implications” that could spark tensions in Nigeria if not managed wisely.
He said:
“Trump’s Muslim attire was a clear indication that his interest in Nigeria could have serious religious implications, such that could cause religiously-motivated social unrest."
Source: Facebook
Bakare: 'Donald Trump is transactional'
Bakare labelled Trump’s leadership style transactional and urged the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respond with a structured economic plan.
He said:
“President Donald Trump has proven to be a transactional leader whose threats are usually invitations to the negotiating table.
Pastor Bakare explained:
“The Nigerian government should present the United States with a mutually beneficial business proposal, one that will facilitate US business interests while guaranteeing Nigeria’s security, educational development, industrialisation and access to cutting-edge technologies.”
Bakare, therefore, urged the Nigerian government to negotiate a strategic business deal with the US rather than wait to be pressured, stressing that Nigeria must not miss the window of opportunity.
Pastor challenges Bakare’s take
Meanwhile, Pastor Fafunmi Segun, disagreed with Bakare, saying the Citadel Global Community Church founder may be insensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerians.
In a chat with Legit.ng, Pastor Segun reminded Bakare that Nigerian authorities are struggling to effectively tackle insecurity.
He said:
"This assertion suggests that suggests that he is unconcerned about the ongoing genocide of Christians in Nigeria.
“If I may pose a question, how does the oil industry impact the average Nigerian citizen or those living in poverty?
“If someone is willing to intervene to stop the killings in Nigeria in exchange for oil, perhaps they should be given the opportunity to do so, especially if the Nigerian government is unable to address the issue effectively.”
He added:
"Of what use is the mineral wealth to the common man? The same wealth that has been siphoned via systemic corruption?"
Read more on the US-Nigeria religious freedom standoff:
- Top US lawmakers slam Donald Trump, warn against military action in Nigeria
- US vs Nigeria: Northern CAN breaks silence as Trump threatens invasion: "he cares for us"
- Fresh demands, actions by Donald Trump and ally on Nigeria as submitted to US congress
Ribadu meets Trump’s war secretary
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, met with Pete Hegseth, US secretary of war, over the alleged Christian genocide.
Hegseth said the Department of War (DOW) is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the targeted killing of Christians in the West African country.
Trump’s war secretary made this known in a statement issued via his X handle @SecWar.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
