The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that President Bola Tinubu remained calm and focused amid recent threats and concerns raised by the United States, assuring that Nigeria was working to clarify its security efforts to the international community.
Speaking to State House correspondents after visiting the President at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, Idris described the meeting as part of his routine consultations with the President but confirmed that the issue of the United States’ comments also came up during their discussions.
“Well, it is a routine that we always have with Mr President and as the Minister of Information, I need to consult with Mr President from time to time and this is exactly what we have done,” he said.
“Of course, the issue of the US threats also came up and we discussed that extensively with Mr President, and Mr President is calm. He is looking at the whole situation and looking for ways and means of ensuring that the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing.”
The minister noted that President Tinubu had already taken key steps to strengthen the country’s security structure, including the recent appointment of new Service Chiefs and a Chief of Defence Staff.
“Only two weeks ago, Mr President, in his own desire to rekindle the security architecture of the country, reinvigorated the hierarchy of the Armed Forces. A new Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs were appointed,” Idris said.
“These were all issues that came up before the US concerns, so that tells you that Mr President has been working assiduously to ensure that Nigeria remains safer for all Nigerians to live in.”
Idris explained that the government had opened channels of communication with international organisations to provide a clearer picture of its ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and promote unity.
“We are looking at all the issues and we don’t want to overheat discussions. Work is ongoing and we have also opened channels of communication for international organisations to understand what Nigeria has been doing better and what we intend to further do,” he added.
On domestic measures, the minister said the administration was adopting a multiple-approach strategy that includes continued engagement with religious leaders and regional bodies.
“Discussions with the leadership of religious groups are ongoing. Mr President has been meeting with them and will continue to do so. They are all Nigerians and important stakeholders in the Nigerian project,” Idris said.
He dismissed suggestions that government actions were biased along religious lines, insisting that Nigeria remains a secular and tolerant nation.
“For us to be characterised as a country that is not tolerant when it comes to religion is not accurate. This is absolutely false,” the minister said.
“Nigeria has Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not believe in any of these religions, and our constitution guarantees everyone the right to practise their faith without hindrance. Mr President will respect that to the letter.”
Idris urged Nigerians to unite against divisive narratives, stressing that the extremists pushing false claims aimed to divide the country.
“We want to caution Nigerians to look deeper. This is the time for us to reflect on our nationhood and unity. It is not the time for division or rhetoric. Mr President is calm, taking this very seriously, and all those responsible are addressing the issue with the depth it requires,” the Minister stated.
