The Presidency on Monday dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is set to visit the United States on Tuesday to meet with US Vice President J.D. Vance, describing the report as false and misleading.
Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said in a post on his official X handle that the report had sparked unnecessary speculation and “uninformed commentaries.”
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He clarified that if President Tinubu were to visit the White House, he would meet with President Donald Trump, not the Vice President.
“There’s a Sahara Reporters story that President Tinubu is going to the U.S. on Tuesday to see U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. That story is not true. If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President,” Ajayi stated.
The clarification comes amid heightened international attention following allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria and a controversial statement by former US President Donald Trump.
In a post on his Truth account over the weekend, Trump warned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if Nigeria fails to halt attacks on Christians, threatening to stop aid and even engage militarily against perpetrators of violence.
Reacting to growing international concern, President Tinubu denied claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In a statement via his X handle, he reaffirmed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and security across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He emphasised that since taking office in 2023, his government has maintained active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike, addressing security challenges that affect citizens across all regions and faiths.
Tinubu also rejected narratives portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant, describing them as inaccurate and unreflective of the nation’s diverse population.
He stressed that religious tolerance has always been central to Nigeria’s national identity and remains a core principle of his administration.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President said.
In addition, Tinubu assured the international community of Nigeria’s commitment to collaborate with the United States and other partners in protecting citizens of all faiths.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths,” he stated.