BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – A mild drama played out in the Senate chamber on Tuesday as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau openly countered Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his remarks on United States President Donald Trump’s controversial comments, accusing Nigeria of genocide against Christians.
Expectedly, the session addressed Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” following claims that the Federal Government is condoning the killings of Christians in the country.
The dramatics began when Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, addressed reports published by an online platform claiming that he publicly brushed off Trump over his recent comments and had said Nigerians were “not complaining” about their condition.
Clearly unhappy with the reports, Senator Akpabio denied ever making such remarks, describing them as “false and malicious.”
While condemning the publication as an attempt to create diplomatic tension and discredit the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio had gone ahead to inform his colleagues that Nigerians were eager to hear the Senate’s stance.
As the Tuesday plenary was about rounding up, the Senate President maintained that the Red chamber would hold its peace and await the Federal Government’s formal briefing on the matter.
In the process, the Senator Akpabio asked rhetorically, “Who am I to reply Trump?”, explaining that the Senate could only deliberate on issues properly brought before it.
Furthermore, he said though Nigerians were eager to have a response from the lawmakers, the Senate would bid its time to receive an official communication before any action is taken in that direction.
Interestingly, the Senate President’s remark drew spontaneous reaction from his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, who declared: “Don’t be scared, I can say it. I am not scared of Trump. I will say my mind”.
Not done with his response, the Senator representing Kano North, boldly said, “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.
“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.”
However, interjecting while the Deputy Senate President was still making his submission, Senator Akpabio retorted, “I said I am not scared. How can the Senate President of the country be scared of Trump?
“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 Senate President said.
Turning to the Clerk of the Senate, he directed that the Deputy Senate President’s remarks be deleted from the official record, noting that he had “spoken out of tune.”
With an air of finality, he said, “When the executive responds, we will take a position as a Senate. Until then, no one should speak for this institution.”
Following this final declaration, Senator Barau later approached the Senate President’s seat and was seen engaging him in a brief, hush-hush discussion before returning to his seat wearing a worried look.
The Nigerian government has since rejected the designation and the characterisation of persecuting Christians, insisting that Nigeria protects religious freedom for all.
This is as China has reportedly waded into the controversy with the warning that no country should deploy religion or human-rights concerns as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign nation.
In voicing strong opposition to Trump’s remarks, Beijing has also pledged support for Nigeria, as its “comprehensive strategic partner.”
