Tinubu Has Stood His Ground, You Don’t Expect America Under Trump Not to Find Fault in Him — Shettima
By Peace Erewunmi
Alhaji Yerima Shettima, Convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiatives (NSCI), has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid reported tensions between the Nigerian government and the administration of United States President Donald Trump.
Shettima alleged that the United States has been attempting to pressure or “blackmail” Tinubu because the Nigerian president has maintained Nigeria’s sovereignty and refused to simply follow Washington’s position on certain issues.
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Shettima said Tinubu had “stood his ground” and demonstrated that Nigeria is a sovereign nation.
According to him, Tinubu’s refusal to “act the script” of President Trump may have contributed to the concerns being raised in the United States about the Nigerian president, including reports surrounding an alleged FBI report.
«“Tinubu has stood his ground and demonstrated that Nigeria is a sovereign country, and to that extent, you do not expect America under Trump not to find fault in him,” Shettima said.»
Shettima also praised Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the president has made progress in areas including the economy and security.
He pointed to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to democracy, saying the president allowed voters to determine the outcome of the election rather than attempting to influence it.
Shettima further expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027, arguing that Nigerians would assess the administration’s performance when deciding how to vote.
He said key issues that should dominate the 2027 presidential campaign include the economy, security, welfare, healthcare and infrastructure.
Shettima also maintained that the Tinubu administration had made progress in the education sector, particularly in avoiding major strikes by academic and non-academic staff unions in higher institutions over the past three years.
The comments come as political attention increasingly shifts toward the 2027 general elections and Nigeria’s relations with major international partners.
