There was mild drama in the Senate on Tuesday as President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and his deputy, Jibrin Barau, disagreed over reports of US President Donald Trump’s alleged threat of military action against terrorists in Nigeria.
Akpabio, while addressing lawmakers at the end of plenary, dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had rebuffed Trump’s position on the alleged “Christian genocide” in parts of Nigeria.
He described the report, attributed to a platform called RANT HQ, as false and malicious.
According to the viral post, Akpabio was quoted as saying, “The killing is taking place in Nigeria not in the USA, Trump should focus on US. Nigerians are not complaining about the killings, we are fully satisfied with the condition of Nigeria.”
Reacting to the claims, Akpabio stated, “Who am I to answer Trump?” But his deputy, Barau, interjected, declaring, “I’m not scared of Trump. I will say my mind. I’m a Nigerian. Nigeria is a sovereign nation. I’m a parliamentarian.”
Barau continued, “I’m the Deputy Senate President, I can speak. I’m not scared of Trump. Don’t be scared of Trump. You can say your mind about Trump. We are a sovereign nation.”
Uncomfortable with his deputy’s remarks, Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, to delete Barau’s comments from the day’s proceedings, insisting they did not represent the official position of the chamber.
READ ALSO: Akpabio Denies Mocking Trump Over Alleged Christian Genocide
Akpabio went on to condemn the false report, calling it a “malicious and completely fabricated post.” He explained that the photos used by RANT HQ were taken during a Senate visit to Port Harcourt in 2023 and had nothing to do with the U.S. president.
“Somebody will sit in the comfort of his room and produce a report and fake pictures… and say, oh, Senate President answers President Trump — who am I to answer President Trump?” Akpabio said.
He added that he had petitioned both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate those behind the fake publication.
“It is the presidency that will answer President Trump. But who is that person that will go and ascribe a comment to the Senate President when he was never met? I believe the Cybercrimes Unit of the Police, the DSS and others should find that character out… It is meant to cause friction and put the Nigerian Senate in disrepute,” he said.
Akpabio cautioned that “social media should not break Nigeria,” and noted that the Senate would only take an official position on Trump’s comments after the executive arm clarifies its stance.
