Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, has condemned United States President Donald Trump over his recent comments describing Nigeria as a “disgraced country” and threatening “decisive action” if the killing of Christians continues.
Barau, speaking in a widely circulated video on Friday, described Trump’s statement as “un-American, undiplomatic, and a violation of international law.”
“For the president of the United States to say Nigeria is a disgraced country and to threaten military action is unacceptable. Such utterances breach diplomatic protocol and contravene international law,” Barau declared.
He urged the American leader to retract his comments and apologise to Nigeria, stressing that any legitimate international intervention must follow due process through the United Nations and not unilateral threats.
“If he were here, I would tell him to his face that bypassing the UN route is illegal and contrary to the global order the US itself helped create,” Barau added, insisting that Nigeria would not bow to intimidation.
Supporting the Deputy Senate President’s stance, the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) also condemned Trump’s remarks, warning against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
NEF’s spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, accused Washington of meddling under the guise of humanitarian concern.
“Donald Trump is violating the UN principle of non-interference in domestic matters. Nigeria is a sovereign nation, not an appendage of America,” Jiddere said.
He further cited Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan as examples of countries destabilised by U.S. intervention, arguing that America’s interest in Nigeria is more economic than humanitarian.
Similarly, MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, rejected the U.S. Congress’ reported call for sanctions against the group for alleged religious extremism.
“The allegations are baseless and malicious. Miyetti Allah is a lawful organisation advocating for pastoralists, not a criminal group,” Othman-Ngelzarma said, revealing that the association is compiling documents to defend its reputation.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Council (AYCC) also criticised Trump’s statement, asserting that the threat was economically motivated.
AYCC’s National President, Zaid Ayuba, suggested that Washington’s true concern lies in Nigeria’s natural resources and growing ties with other global powers.
“This is not about protecting Christians. It’s about strategic and economic interests. The U.S. has a record of using humanitarian excuses to pursue deeper political goals,” he said.
Ayuba urged the Federal Government to engage diplomatically and involve respected former leaders in dialogue, warning that any military confrontation could lead to widespread suffering among innocent Nigerians.
“History shows that once the U.S. invades a country, they don’t leave until they achieve their objectives. Nigeria must act wisely,” he cautioned.
