ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump for describing Nigeria as a disgraced nation and threatening military action against the country under the guise of tackling terrorism.
In a viral video in which Mr Jibrin addressed youth members of the All Progressives Congress, he stressed that Mr Trump’s remarks were inappropriate and contrary to international norms.
“For Trump to come say we are going to attack you, Nigeria is a disgraced country is quite unacceptable. We feel he should understand and retract that statement. It is against international law,” Mr Jibrin said.
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He further noted, “We are not sacred of Trump to tell him the truth. Whatever you feel about our country, follow the legal route. Go to the United Nations. And then anything can come later.”
Mr Trump had recently designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern amid a campaign championed by American lawmakers including Ted Cruz, Riley Moore, and Nancy Mace alleging targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In his remarks berating Nigeria, Mr Trump said, “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! warning: the Nigerian government better move fast!,”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has denied claims of targeted killings of Christians in the country. His spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the President was already aware of the “orchestrated game” being played in the United States.
“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses, he said. Nigerians want results,” Mr Onanuga said.