The Presidency has commended former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for what it described as a patriotic and balanced reaction to the recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military action against Nigeria.

Presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X yesterday, hailed Kwankwaso’s intervention as a show of statesmanship, urging other political figures to emulate him by standing with the country during the ongoing diplomatic row.

“Thank you, Senator Kwankwaso, for your patriotism. This is the time for all political leaders, irrespective of party lines, to unite and defend the image of our country,” Onanuga wrote.

Kwankwaso had earlier dismissed Trump’s claims of a religiously motivated genocide, insisting that Nigeria’s security challenges cut across all ethnic and religious divides. He urged Washington to offer Nigeria technological and intelligence support to combat insecurity instead of issuing threats that could worsen tensions.

Trump had last week designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing alleged attacks on Christians and government inaction in protecting religious minorities. The Nigerian government, however, rejected the allegations, maintaining that no group faces persecution on religious grounds.

Despite the rebuttal, the U.S. President on Saturday restated his threat of military intervention if the situation was not “urgently addressed.”

Kwankwaso’s remarks have since drawn commendations from Nigerians across political divides for promoting unity and diplomacy at a time of heightened international tension.