A chieftain of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged Nigerians across political and religious divides to rally behind President Bola Tinubu in the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the country.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, the former lawmaker described the current security challenges as a national emergency requiring collective effort and unity, not division.
Oyintiloye’s call came amid recent reports of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy American military forces to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians — a move he said should be “a serious concern to every patriotic Nigerian.”
“We must come together and rally behind the President at this period. Our religious or political affiliations are irrelevant; what we need is oneness and unity to protect the sovereignty of our dear country,” Oyintiloye said.
He noted that the security crisis did not begin under President Tinubu’s administration, stressing that terrorism, banditry, and insurgency had built up over time. He emphasized that no particular religion has been targeted, as both Muslims and Christians have suffered losses due to violent attacks.
“All religions in the country — Muslims, Christians, and others — have felt the negative impact of terrorism. No faith group is immune from the pain inflicted by these criminals,” he added.
While appreciating the concern expressed by the United States, Oyintiloye suggested that intelligence sharing and military equipment support from Washington would be more beneficial than deploying foreign troops, which, he warned, could “complicate the situation.”
He also commended President Tinubu and the security agencies for their ongoing efforts to restore peace, while urging newly appointed service chiefs to justify the trust reposed in them and intensify the fight against terrorism.
“This is not the time to play opposition politics. Whatever happens will affect everyone. With the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have the capacity to end terrorism,” he said.
Oyintiloye further appealed to opposition politicians and public commentators to be cautious in their statements, warning that reckless remarks could undermine national unity at a critical time.
“Getting foreign support in terms of intelligence and equipment will help, but deploying foreign soldiers may worsen the situation. What Tinubu needs now is the support of all Nigerians,” he concluded.