By David Lawani
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged Nigerians to close ranks and rally behind President Bola Tinubu in the ongoing battle against terrorism, warning that divisive politics or careless opposition rhetoric could endanger the country’s sovereignty.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye, a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, stated that Nigeria was at a critical juncture, where unity, rather than political point-scoring, was urgently needed to confront the deepening security crisis.
He described as worrisome the recent threat by former U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy American forces to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians, stressing that such foreign interference could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty if national consensus against terrorism continues to weaken.
“At this critical time, we must come together and rally behind President Tinubu. Our political or religious affiliations are irrelevant. What matters now is unity and national survival,” Oyintiloye said.
The APC stalwart cautioned opposition figures against exploiting the nation’s security situation to score cheap political points, noting that terrorism, banditry, and insurgency predated the Tinubu administration and should be confronted collectively rather than politicised.
“This is not a time to play opposition politics. Whatever happens will affect everyone. All our aspirations depend on the continued existence of Nigeria,” he warned.
Oyintiloye maintained that Nigeria’s prolonged security challenges did not arise overnight, but rather evolved over years of neglect and weak governance structures.
He stressed that the current administration deserves national cooperation to dismantle the terrorist networks threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.
He, however, acknowledged the concerns expressed by the United States over the spate of killings, urging Washington to assist Nigeria with intelligence sharing, modern weaponry, and surveillance support rather than contemplating direct military intervention.
“Getting foreign support in terms of intelligence and equipment will help us, but foreign troop deployment will complicate our situation and may lead to greater problems,” he noted.
The APC chieftain also challenged the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Tinubu, stating that Nigerians are looking to them for a decisive turnaround in the war against terror.
“The new military chiefs must not betray the trust placed in them. They must prove their capacity and commitment by delivering results on the battlefield,” he said.
Oyintiloye further dismissed suggestions that the ongoing security crises amount to a religious war, arguing that both Christians and Muslims have suffered devastating losses at the hands of terrorists.
“No religion is being targeted. Terrorism is an assault on our shared humanity, not on faith. Muslims, Christians, and others have all been victims,” he emphasised.
He called on political, traditional, and religious leaders to adopt a united front in defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, warning that internal divisions could play into the hands of those who wish to destabilise the nation.
“Nigeria must not walk into a trap that could lead to its disintegration. We have the capacity to end terrorism if we put aside our differences and work together under the leadership of President Tinubu,” he added.
