The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, has faulted the recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump describing Nigeria as a “disgraced country,” saying the comment was insulting and contrary to international diplomatic norms.
Jibrin, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, also condemned Trump’s reported threat to take military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians in the country.
He described the comments as “un-American” and a “clear violation of international law,” urging the former U.S. leader to withdraw the statement and apologise to Nigerians.
“For the president of the United States to say Nigeria is a disgraced country and threaten military action is quite unacceptable,” Jibrin said. “Whatever concerns he has should be addressed through the United Nations or other international channels.”
He added that Nigeria remained a sovereign nation and would not succumb to intimidation or threats from any foreign power.
Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have also criticised Trump’s comments, describing them as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
NEF Spokesman, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, said northern leaders would not tolerate any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
“Nigeria is not an appendage of America,” Jiddere said. “The statement violates the United Nations’ principles of non-interference, and we in the North reject any attempt to dictate to our country.”
He accused the U.S. of creating instability in several nations under the guise of promoting peace, citing Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Afghanistan as examples.
According to him, Washington’s interest in Nigeria is largely economic and not humanitarian.
He maintained that while Nigeria welcomes international cooperation, such partnerships must respect the country’s sovereignty and constitution.
The NEF spokesman also dismissed claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria as “false narratives aimed at destabilising the country.”
Similarly, MACBAN National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, faulted the reported U.S. congressional resolution calling for sanctions against the association for alleged religious persecution.
He described the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated,” stressing that MACBAN is a legitimate and law-abiding organisation representing pastoralists across the country.
“This is a very serious allegation coming from the U.S. Congress, and we are surprised to be mentioned in such a context,” Othman-Ngelzarma said. “We are compiling documents to defend our position before the appropriate authorities.”
He reiterated that Miyetti Allah had no links to terrorism or criminal activities and would continue to promote peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.