Politics
Macron says France is a loyal ally as Trump questions NATO’s mutual defence principle
France is a loyal and steadfast ally in NATO, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised on Thursday, amid his US counterpart Donald Trump’s repeated doubts about the military alliance.
The French leader invoked a list of historical events whereby France and the US have “always been there for each other,” including namechecking Marquis de Lafayette — a 19th-century French nobleman — who was a major-general in the American army fighting the British during the Revolutionary War.
France had shown “respect and friendship” toward the US, Macron said. “I think we’re entitled to expect the same,” he added.
On Thursday, Trump again cast doubt on whether Washington would defend its NATO allies if they did not pay what he believes was enough for their own defence.
Under Article 5, members of the NATO alliance must help if another member comes under attack.
“It’s common sense, right,” Trump told reporters on Thursday. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.”
Trump added he had held this view since his first term, when similar comments prompted European members to increase their defence spending to meet the 2% target.
The US president said these efforts were “not enough. They should be paying more.”
Trump also expressed uncertainty about whether NATO members would defend the US if the country were under attack, singling out France as an example of an ally he “wasn’t sure” about.
NATO allies, including France, did however come to the US’ defence after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, when Article 5 was invoked and led to NATO’s largest-ever military operation in Afghanistan.
‘Ironclad’ or not?
Trump’s comments follow those from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth last month, who said in a speech that Washington would not participate in a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine, and would not come to the defence of any NATO country that did if attacked by Russia.
Despite Trump’s comments, his pick for NATO ambassador, Matt Whitaker, said during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that the US commitment to the NATO alliance and Article 5 would be “ironclad.”
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte also sought to reaffirm the strength of the alliance earlier on Thursday, telling reporters in Brussels: “Let me be clear, the transatlantic relationship and the transatlantic partnership remains the bedrock of our alliance. “
“President Trump has made clear the commitment of the US and his commitment personally to NATO, and it has also made clear the expectation that we in Europe must do more in terms of defence spending,” Rutte added.
Trump has repeatedly cast doubt since his 2016 presidential campaign that the US under his leadership might not comply with the alliance’s mutual defence guarantees if members of the alliance did not increase their defence spending.
On Thursday, Trump said NATO was “potentially good” if what he saw as a spending issue could be fixed. “They’re screwing us on trade,” he concluded.
Last year, the now-former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said a record 23 of NATO’s 32 member nations had hit their spending targets.
Trump has taken credit for countries meeting those because of his threats, with Stoltenberg himself saying the returning US president was responsible for getting other nations to increase their spending.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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