Trump threat: We need partnership to tackle insecurity in Nigeria – Adeleke weighs in

Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke has called for renewed partnership between Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) to tackle insecurity in the country.

Adeleke’s response comes on the heels of the threat issued by US President Donald Trump over the weekend and his designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Governor Adeleke threw his weight behind diplomatic solutions within the context of decades of productive and rewarding Nigeria-American diplomatic partnership.

“I appeal to the Presidency of the United States of America to support Nigeria to fully implement the recently developed national security strategy. The new strategy is comprehensive and capable of taking on the monster of banditry and terroristic killings in many parts of the country.” He said.

The Governor who commiserated with the families of victims across the northern region said the American intervention is a wake up call to rigorously implement new security measures and forceful counter- terrorism actions in partnership with diplomatic allies, adding that “we need help from the United States and others to solve the terrorism challenge.

“Nigeria suffers from unfortunate killings across Northern Nigeria which has claimed lives of many innocent citizens. We believe a high-powered engagement at the presidential level will particularly open to the American government the ongoing security operations, successes and challenges Nigeria is facing in the fight against terrorism.”

“We need our international partners to expand their support for the Nigerian security agencies and its political leadership to face national security challenges. Peaceful interface between Abuja and Washington holds the key rather than military intervention by the American government”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

He applauded the Presidency for its diplomatic moves to douse the tension and address genuine concerns of western partners especially the United States of America.

The Governor also called for support of the political class over the ongoing face off.

“This is the time to unite as a nation to support the national leadership to frontally address internal and external threats for the protection of the citizenry. This is the time to back the President to enforce the letters and spirit of the constitution in all facets of national life. We need peace, not war to deepen our democracy and protect our citizens”, the Governor said.