Abuja, Nigeria — November 2, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has responded to recent U.S. pronouncements on Nigeria by urging the American government to provide advanced technology to help Nigeria fight insecurity — rather than issuing designations against the country.
In a statement released Sunday, Kwankwaso expressed concern over the U.S. decision to treat Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) on religious freedom grounds, and called instead for stronger support to tackle the country’s multifaceted security crises.
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country,” Kwankwaso said. “The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.”
He emphasized that the threats Nigeria faces “do not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” and he called for national unity at the moment. Kwankwaso also recommended that Nigeria appoint special diplomatic envoys and permanent ambassadors to improve international relations and general diplomatic strategy.
His comments come amid heightened tension between Nigeria and the United States — which has recently escalated pressure on Nigeria over allegations of mass killings of Christian communities, and the U.S.’s public warning that military action may follow if the Nigerian government fails to provide adequate protection.
Kwankwaso’s intervention is notable: a senior opposition figure advocating for pragmatic international assistance rather than external pressure. His call aligns with broader calls in Nigeria for foreign aid to be leveraged towards real-time security capacity and technology transfer rather than diplomatic sanctions or symbolic designations.
The former governor concluded his statement with a plea for national unity:
“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria. As the story develops, attention will focus on whether diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States shifts from confrontational rhetoric to technical cooperation and support for capacity building in security technology.