There was mild drama in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, November 4, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, openly disagreed over U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of military action against Nigeria.
The incident unfolded at the close of plenary when Akpabio addressed a viral report alleging that he had criticized President Trump’s warning of possible intervention over alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Akpabio dismissed the report as “malicious and completely fabricated,” clarifying that he never issued any statement in response to Trump’s comments.
“Who am I to answer Trump?” Akpabio queried. “Someone sat in their room and manufactured a fake report using old photos from our 2023 visit to Port Harcourt. I have already reported the matter to the police and the DSS for investigation.”
He emphasized that issues of foreign relations are the responsibility of the Presidency, not the Senate.
“It is the Presidency that will respond to President Trump, not me. These fake posts are attempts to cause friction and discredit the Senate. Social media should not be used to divide Nigeria,” he cautioned.
However, the calm atmosphere quickly shifted when Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau interjected, insisting that he was not intimidated by the U.S. President.
“I’m not scared of Trump,” Barau declared. “I’ll say my mind. I’m a Nigerian and a parliamentarian. We are a sovereign nation, and no one should be afraid to speak up.”
Barau’s comment drew murmurs across the chamber, prompting Akpabio to order the Senate Clerk, Emmanuel Odo, to strike the statement from the official record, saying it did not represent the Senate’s official position.
Akpabio reiterated that the Senate had not taken a formal stance on Trump’s remarks and would only issue a response after consulting with the executive arm of government.
“When the direction of the Presidency is clear, the Senate will respond appropriately,” he said.
Trump had, last Friday, posted on his Truth Social platform that he would “go into Nigeria guns-a-blazing” if alleged killings of Christians continued, claiming to have directed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible action.
The statement has since sparked diplomatic concern in Nigeria, with government officials calling for calm and dialogue rather than confrontation.
Tuesday’s exchange in the Senate reflects growing unease among Nigerian lawmakers over Trump’s comments, which many perceive as an affront to the country’s sovereignty.
