Deputy Senate President demands Apology from Trump Over “Un-American” Threats

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has strongly condemned recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, demanding an immediate withdrawal of his statements and a formal apology to Nigeria.

Trump recently described Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and threatened “decisive action” over the alleged killing of Christians, prompting a wave of criticism from prominent Nigerian figures and organizations, including the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

In a video that gained traction on Friday, Senator Jibrin labeled Trump’s military threat as “un-American” and a clear “violation of international law.”

“For the president of the United States to come in and say, ‘Oh, you are doing this and we are going to attack you, and Nigeria is a disgraced country’ — this is quite unacceptable,” Jibrin stated. “We feel that he should understand, then retract that statement and apologise to Nigeria.”

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The Deputy Senate President argued that Trump’s approach bypassed established diplomatic protocols and international legal frameworks.

“It’s against international law. Whatever you feel about our country, follow the legal route. Go to the United Nations, get a resolution there,” he explained. “To bypass that route is quite unacceptable. It’s un-American.”

Jibrin asserted that Nigeria would not be intimidated by such threats. “We are not scared to say the truth. We are not scared of telling Trump the truth. If he were here, I would tell him he has gone against international law.”

Northern Groups Denounce Foreign Interference

Echoing Jibrin’s sentiments, the Northern Elders’ Forum warned against what it termed a “dangerous pattern of foreign interference.” NEF spokesperson Prof. Abubakar Jiddere emphasized Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Nigeria is not an appendage of America. Donald Trump is violating international treaties of the United Nations on the principle of non-interference,” Jiddere said. “And we here in the North are not going to tolerate that.”

He accused the U.S. of destabilizing other nations like Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan under the guise of intervention, suggesting Washington’s motives in Nigeria are economic, not humanitarian. Jiddere also dismissed claims of Christian genocide as “false narratives aimed at destabilising the country.”

Similarly, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) expressed outrage over attempts to link the group to terrorism and religious extremism, particularly following a U.S. House of Representatives resolution calling for sanctions.

“This is a very serious allegation coming from the US Congress. We are surprised to be included in such an allegation,” said MACBAN National President Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, describing the claims as “baseless and malicious.” He confirmed the association is preparing to formally defend its position, insisting it is a legitimate, law-abiding organization.

Economic Interests Behind U.S. Stance, Says Youth Council

The Arewa Youth Consultative Council (AYCC) has also suggested that Trump’s posturing is driven by economic interests rather than genuine concern for religious freedom.

AYCC National President Zaid Ayuba Ayuba proposed that the threat is connected to America’s interest in Nigeria’s natural resources and its evolving relationships with other global powers. “We believe this threat must have something to do with the economic base,” Ayuba stated, noting that accusations of religious persecution are often a pretext for pursuing deeper political or economic goals.

An Arewa youth leader has voiced strong concerns over the potential for a United States military intervention in Nigeria, emphasizing that the threat is not rooted in religious persecution.

“One thing we are confident about is that the threat of this invasion is not really about religious genocide. Everyone in the world can attest to this,” stated the leader, identified as Ayuba.

He called for an urgent diplomatic response from the Nigerian Federal Government, suggesting the involvement of former heads of state and experienced diplomats to de-escalate the situation.

Ayuba warned that a US invasion would lead to regional instability and inflict significant suffering on the civilian population.

“The United States has a history that once they invade a country, there is no way they will leave until they get what they are looking for,” he explained. “And that means the lives of ordinary Nigerians who have nothing to do with the differences between the government of Nigeria and the United States will be the ones that will feel it.”