Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has strongly criticised United States President Donald Trump for describing Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and threatening military action over alleged religious persecution.
In a recent White House briefing, Trump warned that the U.S. would “take decisive action” if unaliveings of Christians in Nigeria continued, a statement that has drawn outrage across the country.
Speaking in a video that went viral on Friday, Jibrin described Trump’s remarks as “un-American” and “a violation of international law.” He said, “For the President of the United States to come out and say, ‘You are doing this and we are going to attack you, and Nigeria is a disgraced country’ — this is quite unacceptable. He should understand, retract that statement, and apologise to Nigeria.”
Jibrin emphasised that Trump’s comments breached diplomatic etiquette and international law, insisting that such threats should go through the United Nations. “Whatever you feel about our country, follow the legal route. Go to the United Nations, get a resolution there. To bypass that route is quite unacceptable,” he said.
He added that Nigeria would not be intimidated by any external threats, saying, “We are not scared to say the truth. If Trump were here, I would tell him that his actions go against international law and that the route he’s taking is not the best one.”
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) also condemned Trump’s statement, calling it a “dangerous pattern of foreign interference.” NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, said the North would not tolerate external meddling in Nigeria’s internal affairs. “Nigeria is not an appendage of America. Trump is violating United Nations treaties on non-interference in domestic matters. We will not accept that,” he warned.
Jiddere accused the U.S. of hypocrisy, citing countries like Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Afghanistan where U.S. intervention led to instability and chaos. “Washington’s interest in Nigeria is not humanitarian but economic,” he added, stressing that Nigeria was fully capable of managing its own internal security challenges.
Similarly, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) rejected the U.S. House of Representatives’ resolution calling for sanctions against the group over alleged violations of religious freedom.
In a statement, MACBAN National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, described the accusations as “baseless and malicious,” saying the group was being unfairly targeted for political reasons. “This is a very serious allegation coming from the U.S. Congress. We are surprised to be included in such claims. Miyetti Allah is a legitimate, law-abiding organisation representing pastoralists nationwide. We have no connection to any terrorist group,” he stated.
Othman-Ngelzarma added that MACBAN was compiling evidence to defend itself before the appropriate authorities, maintaining that the association’s activities were transparent and peaceful.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Consultative Council (AYCC) also faulted Trump’s remarks, saying his actions were driven by economic interests rather than concerns about religious freedom.
AYCC National President, Zaid Ayuba Ayuba, argued that the U.S. was using allegations of religious persecution as a cover for pursuing its strategic and economic goals in Africa. “We believe this threat is tied to America’s interest in Nigeria’s natural resources and its growing relationships with other world powers,” Ayuba said.
He warned that any form of U.S. intervention could destabilise the region and inflict suffering on innocent citizens. “The United States has a history of never leaving a country until it achieves its objectives. The ordinary Nigerians who have nothing to do with government policies will be the ones to suffer,” he cautioned.
Ayuba urged the Federal Government to respond diplomatically and engage global partners to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty. “We must act fast through diplomatic channels and ensure this threat does not escalate. Nigeria remains a sovereign nation and must be respected as such,” he said.