US Congressman Cautions That Presidency Is Downplaying the Severity of Insecurity

The Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has cited comments by United States Congressman Riley Moore, warning that Nigeria’s Presidency may be downplaying the seriousness of the country’s worsening security situation, particularly in the North, and that existing measures are inadequate.

According to Showunmi, Moore stressed the importance of Nigeria being open and forthright with the United States in addressing its deepening security and humanitarian challenges.

Showunmi disclosed this after a high-level engagement with senior U.S. lawmakers in the United States, including Congressman Moore, who is actively involved in congressional discussions on Nigeria’s security concerns. Speaking in Jos on Sunday after the meeting, he said the United States now views Nigeria’s internal crisis with exceptional seriousness, describing Washington’s stance as firm, focused, and deeply concerned.

He explained that U.S. authorities have held extensive consultations with government officials and civil society actors both in Washington and Nigeria. Their assessment, he said, is that the situation in several areas—especially Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt, and parts of the North, including moderate Muslim communities—has gone beyond routine security challenges.

Showunmi noted that the humanitarian consequences of the violence have attracted significant international attention, with the United States increasingly viewing the situation not as a political disagreement but as a structural crisis with wide-ranging implications. While the U.S. is willing to support Nigeria, he said it expects genuine commitment and seriousness from the government.

He added that American officials are uninterested in political spin, denial, or internal blame-shifting, and are instead looking for clear, decisive actions taken within Nigeria.

Showunmi expressed concern that the Nigerian Presidency may be underestimating the depth of the crisis, cautioning that the current approach risks widening the gap between official narratives and the lived experiences of citizens. He warned that inconsistencies in government communication are becoming more visible internationally, posing the danger of Nigeria losing control of its own narrative.

He further highlighted internal issues weakening national credibility, including fragmented messaging, evasion of responsibility, rising ethnic rhetoric, and inconsistent communication, all of which he said are eroding public trust and damaging Nigeria’s image abroad.

The convener called on the government to urgently review its communication strategy by adopting a unified national voice, openly acknowledging the crisis, clearly outlining its response strategy, and reducing internal political distractions. This, he said, is essential to prevent misinformation from shaping international perceptions of Nigeria.

“If we lose control of both the narrative and the reality on the ground continues to worsen, external actors will define Nigeria’s situation for us,” he warned.

While expressing faith in divine protection over the country, Showunmi emphasised that faith must be matched with responsibility, describing the current moment as more critical than many realise. He called for unity, clarity, and decisive action in confronting Nigeria’s security and humanitarian challenges.