Deputy Senate President to Trump: Withdraw your threat, apologise now!

Special Feature: Nigeria Pushes Back-Deputy Senate President Demands Apology from Trump

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tension, Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has issued a stern rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump following controversial remarks made during a White House briefing.

Trump had threatened “decisive action” against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, labeling the country a “disgraced nation.” The statement sparked outrage across Nigeria’s political and civil society landscape, prompting calls for an immediate retraction and apology.

Senator Jibrin, speaking passionately in a widely circulated video, condemned Trump’s comments as “un-American” and a blatant violation of international law. He emphasized that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, must not be subjected to threats that bypass diplomatic channels.

According to Jibrin, any concerns about human rights or religious freedom should be addressed through the United Nations and other legitimate international frameworks, not through unilateral threats. He insisted that Nigeria would not be intimidated and that the U.S. president’s approach undermined global norms of diplomacy and respect.

The backlash extended beyond the Senate. The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), represented by Professor Abubakar Jiddere, warned against foreign interference cloaked as humanitarian concern.

Jiddere accused the U.S. of destabilizing nations under the guise of intervention, citing Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Afghanistan as cautionary examples. He asserted that Nigeria’s internal challenges must be resolved domestically, and that the North would resist any external meddling.

Adding to the chorus of condemnation, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) rejected allegations linking the group to terrorism and religious extremism.

The U.S. House of Representatives had reportedly called for sanctions against MACBAN, prompting its National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, to denounce the claims as “baseless and malicious.” He affirmed that MACBAN is a lawful organization representing pastoralists and has no ties to criminal activity.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Council (AYCC) also weighed in, suggesting that Trump’s threat was economically motivated rather than rooted in genuine concern for religious freedom.

AYCC President Zaid Ayuba Ayuba argued that the U.S. interest in Nigeria’s natural resources and its growing alliances with other global powers might be the real drivers behind the rhetoric. He urged the Nigerian government to respond diplomatically and warned that any military action would disproportionately harm innocent civilians.

This unfolding episode has ignited a broader conversation about sovereignty, international law, and the ethics of foreign intervention. Nigerian leaders across the spectrum are unified in their demand for respect and accountability, signaling that the country will not remain silent in the face of perceived injustice.

The call for an apology from President Trump is not just a matter of pride, it’s a declaration of Nigeria’s resolve to defend its dignity on the global stage.