Presidency Debunks Report on Tinubu’s Alleged US Visit

The Presidency has dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit the United States this week for a meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance.

In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described the report—first published by Sahara Reporters—as false and misleading.

Ajayi said the story had triggered unnecessary speculation and “uninformed commentaries,” stressing that if the President were to visit the White House, it would be to meet 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,” Ajayi wrote.

“If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President.”

Context: Trump’s Fiery Comments and Rising Tensions

The clarification followed claims that Tinubu was embarking on “top-level diplomatic engagements” in Washington amid rising global concern over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Former US President Donald Trump had earlier posted on Truth Social, threatening to take military action if the Nigerian government failed to stop what he described as attacks on Christians.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go in guns blazing,” Trump said, ordering his “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.

Tinubu Responds: ‘Nigeria Respects Religious Freedom’

In response, President Tinubu rejected claims of a “Christian genocide,” insisting that Nigeria remains a democracy governed by a Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu stated.

“Since 2023, our administration has engaged Christian and Muslim leaders alike to promote peace and tackle insecurity affecting citizens across all faiths.”

The President also dismissed foreign portrayals of Nigeria as intolerant, describing such narratives as “inaccurate and unreflective of the nation’s diversity.”

“Religious tolerance is a core tenet of our collective identity,” he added. “Nigeria opposes persecution in any form and remains committed to protecting citizens of all faiths.”

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to work with the United States and other international partners to promote mutual understanding and strengthen interfaith harmony.