Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has denied reports making the rounds that he publicly reacted to US President Donald Trump’s threat of a military intervention in Nigeria following allegations of Christian genocide in the country.
The controversial statement which was shared by an online platform on Monday had quoted Akpabio as saying:
“The killing is taking place in Nigeria, not in USA, Trump should focus on US. Nigerians are not complaining about the killings, we are fully satisfied with the condition of Nigeria.”
The post which quickly went viral drew outrage online and sparked debates with many Nigerians condemning the Senate President, calling him insensitive for making such comments amid heightening diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the US following Trump’s remarks accusing Nigeria of widespread Christian persecution.
His media aide, Eseme Eyibo also came out with a statement debunking the report, saying Akpabio never issued such a statement, not publicly, privately, in writing, or in conversation.
“The post is a total falsehood, a product of mischief, and a desperate attempt to incite misunderstanding between Senator Godswill Akpabio and US President Donald Trump, as well as between Nigeria and its international partners,” Eyiboh said.
However, during plenary on Tuesday, a mild drama ensued in the Red Chamber when Akpabio and his deputy, Sen. Barau Jibrin, openly disagreed over how the National Assembly should respond to Trump.
Akpabio who used the session to address the report which claimed he had told Trump to mind his business as Nigerians were not complaining about their condition, denied ever making such statements, calling the publication false and malicious.
In his outrage, Akpabio said:
“Who am I to answer President Trump? Somebody said that the Senate President said Nigerians are not complaining, that we like the way we are living. I have petitioned the police and the DSS.
“The story was fabricated to create diplomatic tension and discredit the National Assembly.
“I am saying this time, the Senate President did not answer President Trump. That quotation is meant to cause a diplomatic row. It is the Presidency that will answer President Trump. And who is that person who ascribed comments to me that I never made?
“Somebody will sit in the comfort of his room and fabricate a report, and produce fake pictures from 2023 when I visited Port Harcourt with senators for a completely different event, and then claim that the Senate President answered President Trump. Who am I to answer Trump?” Akpabio insisted.
Barau quickly interjected by saying he is not scared of Trump by any bit.
“I’m not scared of Trump. I will say my mind. I’m a Nigerian. Nigeria is a sovereign nation. I’m a parliamentarian. I’m the Deputy Senate President, I can speak. I’m not scared of Trump. Don’t be scared of Trump. You can say your mind about Trump. We are a sovereign nation,” Barau stressed.
