The United States has designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to persistent human rights violations and the government’s failure to protect citizens from killings and insecurity. This decision was announced by US President Donald Trump, who cited widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria as the reason for the designation.

In response to the US decision, Comrade Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed his support for the move. Frank stated that President Trump’s action demonstrates a greater concern for the welfare and safety of ordinary Nigerians than most elected leaders in the country, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described the US action as a bold and long-overdue decision, reflecting international recognition of the Nigerian government’s negligence in addressing growing atrocities and systemic corruption.

Frank also called for targeted sanctions against corrupt Nigerian government officials who are fuelling insecurity and impunity in the country. He emphasized the need for the US to protect ordinary Nigerians from the fallout of sanctions, ensuring that measures are directed at those directly responsible for the atrocities, rather than citizens already suffering from the government’s failures.

The Nigerian government has rejected the US designation, stating that the claims do not reflect reality on the ground. Despite this, the US decision highlights the international community’s concern over human rights violations and insecurity in Nigeria. The designation is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s international relations and may lead to increased pressure on the government to address these issues.

The US decision to designate Nigeria as a CPC is not unprecedented, as the country has faced criticism for its human rights record in the past. The move is seen as a call to action for the Nigerian government to take concrete steps to address the root causes of insecurity and protect the rights of its citizens. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will respond to the US designation and what measures will be taken to address the concerns raised by the international community.