ARISE News analyst Dayo Sobowale says the First Lady’s recent appearance on Fox News strategically positioned Nigeria favorably within the political circle of former U.S. President Donald Trump, helping to counter damaging narratives about the country’s security situation.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Sobowale described the First Lady’s engagement with Fox News as a deliberate diplomatic move rather than a media coincidence.
He explained that Fox News remains a highly influential platform within Trump’s political ecosystem, making it a powerful channel for shaping perceptions in conservative U.S. circles.
According to Sobowale, allegations of genocide in Nigeria had gained traction in parts of the U.S. political space, posing a risk of diplomatic backlash.
He noted that the First Lady’s intervention helped Nigeria avoid being mischaracterized internationally, stressing that “narratives matter in foreign policy.”
Sobowale pointed out that Trump’s public recognition of the First Lady was not accidental, but a sign that the message resonated at the highest political levels.
He described this response as evidence that Nigeria is currently in Trump’s “good books,” a position he said could prevent diplomatic isolation.
Drawing a comparison, Sobowale referenced South Africa’s strained relationship with the Trump administration, which he said was worsened by misinformation and poor diplomatic engagement.
He warned that while the interview strengthened Nigeria’s international image, it could trigger internal political backlash.
According to him, existing religious and political tensions in Nigeria may cause critics to weaponize the First Lady’s visibility on the global stage.
Despite this, Sobowale maintained that the diplomatic gains outweigh the potential domestic criticism.
Sobowale concluded that while international goodwill does not replace internal security reforms, the First Lady’s Fox News interview remains a timely diplomatic intervention that helped protect Nigeria’s global reputation.
Triumph Ojo
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