The Chairman of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, has said that the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by President Donald Trump should be taken in good faith, and President Tinubu should use the opportunity to act.
He said this during an interview on Channels Television where he urged President Bola Tinubu to take action against terrorists destroying lives and property in the country.
He advised Tinubu to act, not appease the American government, but in the best interest of the Nigerian people.
According to him, the designation was made for the good of the Nigerian people. He asserted that Nigerians deserve better from the Tinubu administration.
“My view is that he has to act; I’m not going to say the good, the bad and the ugly [about Tinubu]. The CPC designation was done in good faith.
“And do it not for us; do it for your own people. They deserved better than looking the other way as all of this happens.
“The foreign minister made a statement on a major television show about how a few people have actually been killed. Please, just tell the truth and combat the evil,” he said.
The congressman said that though Nigerian government officials still see the CPC designation given to Nigeria as a punishment, the decision was taken in good faith.
President Trump had earlier designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern following allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. The issue is currently at the US Congress for debate.
Different speakers, while testifying before the US House Subcommittee on Africa reviewing Nigeria’s redesignation as a country of particular concern (CPC) last Thursday, expressed divergent views on the killings in Nigeria.
