Senator Ali Ndume (Borno Central) has called on the Federal Government to immediately engage experienced Nigerian diplomats to defend the country’s image following recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump accusing Nigeria of religious persecution.
Trump, in a post shared on social media, alleged that Christians were being massacred in Nigeria, describing the situation as a “genocide” and threatening to halt US aid to the country.
Reacting to the development, Ndume urged the Federal Government to mobilize respected diplomats such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Prof. Sulu Gambari, and Amina Mohammed to present Nigeria’s true position before the United Nations and the United States government.
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“Before things get out of hand, Nigeria should engage seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Sulu Gambari, and Amina Mohammed in the United Nations,” Ndume said. “They should also engage the American embassy in Nigeria because they have the facts.”
He emphasized that effective diplomatic engagement would help counter what he described as a “damaging narrative,” adding that Nigeria should seek to be reclassified from a “country of particular concern” to a “country of special concern.”
According to him, such a reclassification would allow Nigeria to receive international support, including access to arms and technical assistance, to effectively combat terrorism and insecurity.
The senator stressed that Nigeria remains a multi-religious democracy that upholds freedom of worship, urging the United States and other global partners to recognize the government’s ongoing efforts to address security challenges and promote peace across all regions.
