…says ‘I’m not scared of US President
There was mild drama in the Senate on Tuesday as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau openly countered Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his remarks on United States President Donald Trump’s controversial comments accusing Nigeria of genocide against Christians.
The session followed Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” claiming that the Federal Government had allowed killings of Christians in the country.
The matter came up at the close of Tuesday’s plenary when Akpabio informed lawmakers that Nigerians were eager to hear the Senate’s stance.
He. however, said the upper chamber would not take a position until the Federal Government had formally briefed it on the matter.
“Who am I to reply Trump?” Akpabio asked rhetorically, explaining that the Senate could only deliberate on issues properly brought before it.
He added that although Nigerians wanted the legislature to respond, the Senate would wait for official communication before taking any step.
His remark, however, drew an immediate reaction from his deputy, Barau Jibrin.
“Don’t be scared, I can say it. I am not scared of Trump. I will say my mind,” Barau declared.
He continued, “I am a Nigerian, a parliamentarian, and the Deputy Senate President of a sovereign nation. I am not scared of Trump. Don’t be scared of Trump. You can say your mind about him. We are a sovereign nation. He is saying lies about our country, and we have the right to dispute it.
“If you say you didn’t say it, that is correct, but what I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t be scared of him.”
But Akpabio interjected while Barau was making his submission.
“I said I am not scared. How can the Senate President of the country be scared of Trump?” Akpabio responded.
“Get this, speak, but don’t allow people to ascribe what you did not say to you. But if you want me to say it now, I will do. But listen, I can only say what we discussed”, he added.
Akpabio then turned to the Clerk of the Senate, directing that Barau’s comments be deleted from the official record, saying the Deputy Senate President had “spoken out of tune.”
Unperturbed, Barau later walked toward Akpabio’s seat and engaged him in a brief, hushed discussion that caught the attention of senators before Barau returned to his seat.
Daily Trust had reported that Trump’s statement, which was reinforced by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth who posted on X that his department was “preparing for action,” has sparked outrage across political and diplomatic circles.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had since rejected Trump’s assertion, insisting that Nigeria remains a democracy founded on constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence among its people.
Also, China has voiced strong opposition to Trump’s comments and pledged support for Nigeria, describing it as a “comprehensive strategic partner.”
Beijing warned that no country should use religion or human-rights concerns as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign nation.
At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, or threatening them with sanctions and force.”
The statement came in response to Trump’s threat of possible military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
(Source: Daily Trust except the headline)
