“Sever Ties with the U.S. if They Don’t Retract Their Threats” — Sheikh Gumi Blasts Trump Over Military Attack Statement

Nigeria’s controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has lashed out at former U.S. President Donald Trump following his warning about alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria. Gumi described Trump’s comments as a “profound disrespect” to Nigeria’s sovereignty, calling on President Bola Tinubu to take a firm diplomatic stand or risk setting a dangerous precedent for the nation’s global image.

The cleric’s reaction came hours after Trump reportedly threatened that the United States could take “military action” if the Nigerian government failed to protect Christians from ongoing killings in the country. The statement, which has since ignited widespread debate on social media, was viewed by many Nigerians as an overreach of power and a veiled interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page, Gumi minced no words. “For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority,” he wrote. “President Tinubu should summon the U.S. ambassador; they either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties with this irresponsible regime. There are lots of other options for our economic expansion and military alliance.”

His comment quickly sparked heated discussions online, drawing support from those who believe Nigeria should assert its independence on the global stage, as well as criticism from others who argue that Trump’s statement reflects long-standing concerns about religious violence in Nigeria.

Gumi, who is no stranger to controversy, went further to frame the situation as a test of leadership for President Tinubu. According to him, how the administration responds will signal whether Nigeria remains “a sovereign state or a puppet of Western interests.” He emphasized that Nigeria must not succumb to any form of intimidation, regardless of who issues the threat. “This is not about religion,” he added in a follow-up comment. “This is about dignity, respect, and the right of every nation to govern its own affairs without external coercion.”

The cleric’s words struck a chord with many Nigerians still grappling with the country’s delicate balance between diplomacy and self-determination. Nigeria has long been a strategic ally of the United States, especially in counterterrorism efforts against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. However, relations between both nations have often been tested whenever issues of human rights and religious freedom arise.

Trump’s remark, which was reportedly made during a closed-door event in Washington D.C., echoed his past rhetoric about protecting global Christianity. He referred to himself as “the big daddy of Christians,” claiming that the U.S. must “stand up for Christians who are being slaughtered in Nigeria.” His statement has since been condemned by various international observers for its tone and implications.

In response, Sheikh Gumi’s declaration appeared to strike a nerve among both political and religious circles. “Trump may be the big daddy of Christians, but Allah is the Almighty of Muslims,” Gumi wrote earlier in a post dripping with both defiance and spiritual conviction. His tone suggested a mix of frustration and resilience, urging Nigerian Muslims not to despair but to see the moment as an opportunity to assert faith and sovereignty.

Political analysts say Gumi’s statement could put additional pressure on the Tinubu administration, which is already navigating sensitive diplomatic waters. “Gumi’s call for severing diplomatic ties with the U.S. is unlikely to be acted upon,” said Dr. Fatai Aremu, a professor of political science at the University of Ilorin. “But it reflects the growing sentiment among some Nigerians that the West often uses issues like religion and human rights as tools of political manipulation.”

Meanwhile, some Christian groups in Nigeria have expressed mixed feelings about Trump’s warning. While a few commended his outspoken defense of Christians, others warned that his rhetoric could inflame religious tension in an already divided society. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has not yet issued an official statement, but sources close to the organization hinted that they were “watching developments closely.”

On social media, the debate has taken on a life of its own. Some users backed Gumi’s hardline stance, arguing that no country, not even the United States, has the right to threaten another nation’s sovereignty. Others accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that he often intervenes in national security discussions himself. A Twitter user wrote, “Gumi wants Nigeria to stand up to Trump, but he’s the same man who publicly negotiates with bandits. Irony lives rent-free here.”

Still, there is a sense of rising nationalism in the air. Many Nigerians are beginning to question the nature of the country’s relationships with Western powers. The recent comments by Trump have only reignited old debates about whether Nigeria’s foreign policy is too dependent on U.S. interests.

The Presidency has not officially responded to Gumi’s statement or to Trump’s alleged threat. However, diplomatic insiders suggest that a formal clarification from the U.S. government may soon be requested. “Nigeria will likely pursue a diplomatic rather than confrontational approach,” one foreign affairs source said, “but it’s clear that Trump’s comment has caused discomfort within Aso Rock.”

Gumi’s insistence that Nigeria can find “other options for economic expansion and military alliance” appears to be a thinly veiled reference to growing partnerships with nations like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. In recent years, Nigeria has diversified its foreign relations, seeking alternative trade and security alliances amid shifting global power dynamics.

Still, many Nigerians remain skeptical about how far the government is willing to go in challenging the United States. “It’s easy to talk about cutting ties, but the U.S. is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners and a key security ally,” said Lagos-based economist Uche Opara. “A diplomatic standoff could have real economic consequences, especially at a time when the naira is struggling and the cost of living is soaring.”

Despite these realities, Gumi’s message continues to resonate across different sections of society. For his supporters, he represents a voice of resistance in a world where powerful nations often impose their will on weaker ones. For his critics, he remains a polarizing figure who thrives on controversy and national outrage.

As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how the Tinubu administration will respond. Will the President heed Gumi’s call for diplomatic confrontation, or will he opt for quiet diplomacy to preserve Nigeria’s strategic partnerships?

For now, Sheikh Gumi’s defiant tone has thrown another spark into the already tense atmosphere surrounding Nigeria’s relations with the United States. His words — “retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties” — have become a rallying cry for those demanding a stronger assertion of national pride, even as others warn that rhetoric alone will not solve Nigeria’s deeper political and social challenges.

In the end, Gumi’s reaction underscores the fine line Nigeria must walk: a nation proud of its sovereignty yet deeply intertwined with global powers whose words — and threats — still carry immense weight. Whether the government chooses confrontation or diplomacy, one thing is certain — Trump’s statement has reignited a long-dormant debate about Nigeria’s place in a world still shaped by old hierarchies and new ambitions.