Former Chief of Military Workers, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), has cautioned in opposition to the rising diplomatic stress between Nigeria and the USA, describing the “Christian genocide” narrative as a false and harmful distortion of Nigeria’s actuality.
Buratai said this in an article posted on Fb titled “Mutual Safety, Shared Prosperity: A Strategic Path Past the US-Nigeria Stalemate.”
He warned that appearing on the narrative may result in grave strategic and diplomatic penalties for each nations.
Based on him, the confrontation between the USA and Nigeria, fuelled by the threat of overseas military intervention, represents “a deadly crossroads” that would both result in catastrophic miscalculation or create a chance for a stronger partnership.
He stated the notion of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria was “a dangerously reductive distortion,” stressing that any U.S. motion primarily based on such misinformation would quantity to a strategic blunder and an existential threat to Nigeria.
Buratai suggested the U.S. authorities to desert coercive and militaristic approaches, which he stated would solely weaken its credibility and push Nigeria nearer to world rivals corresponding to China and Russia. As a substitute, he urged Washington to pursue “resolute, personal collaboration” by way of intelligence sharing, counter-insurgency assist, and engagement constructed on verified knowledge fairly than “inflammatory fiction.”
He additional known as on the Tinubu administration to take decisive diplomatic steps to counter the destructive world narrative. Based on him, Nigeria’s “strategic silence” within the face of such claims has change into a serious nationwide safety legal responsibility.
Buratai really useful that the federal government launch an aggressive diplomatic and public relations marketing campaign in Washington and different key capitals, have interaction respected worldwide lobbying corporations, and ship delegations of revered Christian and Muslim leaders to refute the genocide claims earlier than U.S. policymakers.
He additionally burdened the necessity for nationwide unity in confronting exterior threats, urging Nigerians of all faiths to rally behind the federal government.
“The threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and company existence calls for that each citizen, Muslim and Christian alike, rally with unwavering unity behind the federal government,” he stated. “Our most potent defend might be demonstrable progress—by way of improved safety and financial self-sufficiency initiatives such because the Dangote Refinery.”
Buratai maintained that real partnership, not strain, stays the one means for the U.S. to advance its pursuits in a secure and affluent Africa, whereas Nigeria should challenge its personal narrative confidently and diplomatically.
He additional stated that each nations should select dialogue and collaboration over confrontation to forestall mutual mistrust and safeguard their shared pursuits.
