President Tinubu Urged to Avoid ‘Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein Fate’ as Dr. Stephen Akintayo Warns Against U.S. Invasion, Calls for Diplomatic Overhaul
By Passman Akpos
Prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Stephen Akintayo, has issued a strongly worded statement warning against any form of foreign military intervention in Nigeria, while urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently strengthen the nation’s diplomatic and foreign policy machinery.
In a lengthy post titled “President Tinubu Should Avoid Ending Up Like Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi — So Should Nigeria (Part 3),” Akintayo declared his firm opposition to threats of invasion reportedly emanating from Washington, saying Nigeria must not repeat the tragic fates of Iraq and Libya.
> “I didn’t vote for @officialasiwajubat, but let me be clear: I do not support any invasion of Nigeria — absolutely not! We’ve seen this movie before,” Akintayo wrote. “The same script was used by America in Iraq — and where are Iraq and its leaders today? The same playbook was applied in Libya — and where are Libya and its leaders now? Nigeria would gain nothing from such an invasion. Never!”
The U.S. government has in recent weeks faced mounting scrutiny following President Donald Trump’s fiery rhetoric warning of possible military action in Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians and rising Islamist violence.
Dr. Akintayo, however, questioned what he described as a “diplomatic vacuum” between Abuja and Washington, noting that President Tinubu’s administration had failed to establish open channels of communication with the White House despite Trump’s return to power.
> “Can supporters of @officialasiwajubat explain why, over the past two years, he has seemingly avoided @realdonaldtrump? A politician of his caliber shouldn’t be in such a position. Even the Chinese maintain open diplomatic channels with the White House,” he queried.
The business mogul warned that Nigeria’s current diplomatic weakness could leave it vulnerable to international manipulation, particularly by Western powers seeking access to its vast natural resources.
> “There is a clear agenda by Western powers to divide Nigeria, and I believe their true motive is our mineral wealth,” Akintayo said. “Whoever controls Nigeria controls Africa.”
Citing his 2019 visit to Maiduguri, Akintayo recalled being alarmed by the heavy foreign military presence in the region and referenced past allegations that elements within Boko Haram had received Western backing, as claimed by a former Chief of Defence Staff.
While condemning the ongoing mass killings of both Christians and Muslims, Akintayo emphasized that the Tinubu administration’s Muslim–Muslim ticket had complicated Nigeria’s international image and fed Western narratives of religious bias.
> “Do I believe President Tinubu supports the Christian genocide in Nigeria? The answer is a resounding no. But this isn’t about truth — it’s about perception, and perception is often stronger than reality,” he wrote.
Call for Foreign Policy Reset
Dr. Akintayo further urged President Tinubu to appoint ambassadors and seasoned diplomats capable of restoring Nigeria’s credibility abroad and advancing a coherent foreign policy framework. He listed respected figures such as Emeka Anyaoku, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Ignatius Olisemeka, Bolaji Akinyemi, Godknows Igali, and Uzoma Emenike as individuals whose expertise could help reposition Nigeria globally.
He also appealed to the President to respect the counsel of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, whom he described as a “powerhouse,” and to seek the guidance of elder statesman Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whose influence in global diplomacy remains unmatched.
> “Mr. President, you may have more clothes than the elders, but you don’t yet have as many rags,” Akintayo cautioned. “You need Baba Iyabo now — more than ever.”
“No More Bloodshed”
In closing, Akintayo implored President Tinubu to act decisively to end the ongoing wave of violence and insurgency ravaging parts of the country.
> “These killings must stop! No more bloodshed,” he declared. “You asked for this job — now lead courageously and end these killings. The promise of a second term offered by political actors sympathetic to terrorists is not worth the destruction of our nation.”
As tensions continue to rise amid reports of Western concern over Nigeria’s security crisis, Dr. Akintayo’s remarks reflect a growing chorus of voices urging restraint, diplomacy, and national unity in the face of foreign pressure.
