The Nigerian government has refuted reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C.
In a post on Monday via his official X handle, Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described the report as false and misleading.
The clarification followed widespread speculation that Tinubu was set for high-level talks in the U.S. amid rising international concern over the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and a recent warning by former U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military intervention.
Ajayi noted that the viral report had fueled unnecessary commentary, stressing that if President Tinubu were to visit the White House, it would be to meet with President Trump, not the Vice President.
He wrote: “There’s a 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. The fake news by Sahara has triggered uninformed commentary since yesterday. If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President.”
Trump had earlier posted on his Truth Social account that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if the Nigerian government failed to curb the alleged killings of Christians, warning that U.S. aid to Nigeria could be halted.
In response, the Nigerian government dismissed the allegation, reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism nationwide.
President Tinubu, in an official statement shared on X, reiterated that Nigeria remains a democracy founded on religious freedom and continues to engage both Christian and Muslim leaders to promote peace and security.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu stated. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with religious leaders across all faiths to address security challenges affecting our citizens.”
