Dr. Sadeque Abubakar Abba, a renowned political scientist and commentator in Nigeria, has publicly shared his perspective on the escalating international controversy involving Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking with authority on political dynamics, Abba offered his analysis on what he perceives as underlying motives behind Trump’s recent actions concerning Nigeria.
During his appearance on the Sunday Politics program, Dr. Abba asserted that the U.S. response toward Nigeria and its president is not genuinely driven by concern over the reported Christian genocide in the country, as publicly claimed, but rather by personal vengeance and geopolitical maneuvering. According to him, the real triggers include past interactions between Tinubu and key figures in U.S. politics, alongside broader international interests.
“Donald Trump is targeting Tinubu out of vengeance because there is evidence that Tinubu funded Kamala Harris’s 2024 U.S. presidential campaign and collaborated with French President Emmanuel Macron to prevent Trump’s electoral victory,” Abba stated during the broadcast, providing specific allegations to support his viewpoint.
He elaborated further, highlighting the perceived personal dimension to the alleged U.S. actions: “They knew if Harris had become the president, it would have posed a challenge for their political objectives. Trump is retaliating against Tinubu for his involvement in obstructing the path to his re-election. This is not about Nigeria’s internal issues but about settling scores on the international stage.”
In addition to the personal dimension, Dr. Abba pointed to strategic and economic considerations as additional motives behind the alleged U.S. pressure on Nigeria. He emphasized the country’s vast energy resources, particularly oil and gas reserves, which he claimed make Nigeria a focal point in the geopolitical strategies of foreign powers, including the U.S. “The energy sector in Nigeria is crucial, and any influence exerted by foreign leaders is often intertwined with access to these strategic resources,” he noted.
Dr. Abba further suggested that the combination of personal vendettas and geopolitical interests explains why international attention on Nigeria’s domestic matters appears heightened and sometimes disproportionately severe. He argued that when leaders are accused of influencing foreign elections or are perceived as obstructing the ambitions of global powers, the repercussions often manifest as diplomatic pressure or public threats.
The political scientist’s analysis has sparked debate among Nigerians and observers of international relations, with supporters praising his candid interpretation of the motivations behind Trump’s actions, while critics caution that these remain allegations without definitive proof. Nonetheless, the discussion emphasizes the complex interplay between national leadership, foreign policy, and international politics in shaping global narratives.
By framing the controversy as both personal and political, Dr. Abba highlighted President Tinubu’s perceived influence on the global stage and underscored how domestic political actions can intersect with international strategic interests. His remarks serve as a reminder of the delicate balance leaders must maintain when navigating both local governance challenges and global diplomatic pressures, particularly in nations rich in natural resources and geopolitical significance.
Whether these claims will be verified or remain in the realm of speculation, they have undeniably fueled discussions about the nature of international diplomacy, foreign interference, and the complex motivations that underlie high-profile political disputes involving Nigeria and world powers.