A Daily Trust report recounts that a year before the end of his first term, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had a closed-door meeting with then-US President Donald Trump at the White House.
During the meeting, Trump unexpectedly asked Buhari, “Why are you killing Christians in Nigeria?” Buhari maintained his composure despite the surprise question.
Speaking at a retreat in Aso Rock a year into his second term, Buhari recounted the tense exchange. According to him, he calmly explained to Trump that the longstanding clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria were driven by cultural and environmental factors, rather than religious or ethnic differences.
Buhari attributed the conflict to historical and contemporary factors, including the impact of climate change, population growth, and the availability of grazing land. He also highlighted how previous administrations had allowed encroachment on gazetted grazing routes, exacerbating the crisis. He however told Trump that those who claim religious links usually do so for economic and political purposes in mind.
The former president’s explanation aimed to correct the perception that violence in Nigeria’s rural areas targeted specific religious groups. Buhari’s meeting with Trump resulted in a significant development in the US-Nigeria relationship, with the US agreeing to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 warplanes and weapons to Nigeria to combat terrorism.
The two leaders discussed various issues, including security, trade, and development in Nigeria. Trump praised Buhari as a “rare leader” and a “strong democrat” who had made significant progress in cutting down corruption. Buhari expressed appreciation for US support in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and sought additional assistance to counter insurgency.
