There was “mild drama” in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday when Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau openly challenged Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s cautious stance regarding United States President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks accusing Nigeria of “genocide against Christians.”
The issue arose at the close of the plenary session, which followed Trump’s decision to declare Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” based on claims that the Federal Government was enabling the killings of Christians.
Senate President Akpabio began by informing the lawmakers that Nigerians were “eager to hear the Senate’s stance” but explained that the upper chamber could not take a formal position until it had been officially briefed by the Federal Government.
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Akpabio asked rhetorically, “Who am I to reply Trump?”
He insisted the Senate would wait for official communication before taking any step, adding that while “Nigerians wanted the legislature to respond,” the Senate could only deliberate on issues “properly brought before it.”
Akpabio’s remark drew an immediate, sharp reaction from his deputy, Barau Jibrin, who declared, “Don’t be scared, I can say it. I am not scared of Trump. I will say my mind.”
Barau continued his verbal submission, asserting his sovereignty: “I am a Nigerian, a parliamentarian, and the Deputy Senate President of a sovereign nation. I am not scared of Trump. Don’t be scared of Trump. You can say your mind about him. We are a sovereign nation. He is saying lies about our country, and we have the right to dispute it.”
He then clarified his position to his superior, stating, “If you say you didn’t say it, that is correct, but what I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t be scared of him.”
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Akpabio immediately “interjected while Barau was making his submission,” replying, “I said I am not scared. How can the Senate President of the country be scared of Trump?”
Akpabio then attempted to assert procedural control, adding, “Get this, speak, but don’t allow people to ascribe what you did not say to you. But if you want me to say it now, I will do. But listen, I can only say what we discussed.”
The tense exchange concluded when Akpabio turned to the Clerk of the Senate and directed that Barau’s comments be “deleted from the official record,” stating the Deputy Senate President had “spoken out of tune.”
Unfazed by the action, Barau subsequently walked over to Akpabio’s seat for a brief, “hushed discussion that caught the attention of senators” before returning to his own seat.
See video below:
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