Tension in the Nigerian Senate as Akpabio and Barau Clash Over Trump’s Threats

The Nigerian Senate witnessed a rare moment of tension on Tuesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, publicly diverged over comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action in Nigeria.

The disagreement unfolded at the tail end of plenary when Akpabio addressed a viral social media report claiming he had dismissed Trump’s warnings over alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

The fabricated post, which included old images from a 2023 Senate visit to Port Harcourt, alleged that Akpabio had told Trump: “The killings are happening in Nigeria, not in the U.S. Nigerians are content with the state of affairs; Trump should mind his own business.”

Akpabio, visibly irked, rejected the report as false and malicious. “Who am I to answer Trump? This story is fabricated, using outdated pictures and misinformation,” he told the chamber. He further revealed that he had reached out to the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to trace the source of the false report.

He emphasized that any response to Trump’s comments falls under the purview of the Nigerian Presidency, not the Senate. “It is the executive that speaks for Nigeria on foreign policy. The Senate will only respond in coordination with the Presidency,” Akpabio clarified.

However, Barau immediately interrupted, signaling his own stance. “I’m not scared of Trump. As Deputy Senate President and a Nigerian, I have the right to speak my mind. Nigeria is a sovereign nation,” he declared, drawing murmurs across the chamber.

Akpabio quickly instructed the Senate Clerk, Emmanuel Odo, to remove Barau’s comments from the official record, stating that they did not reflect the Senate’s collective position.

The exchange highlights the sensitivity within Nigerian political circles regarding Trump’s recent statements, which appeared on his Truth Social platform last week Friday. Trump warned of “going into Nigeria guns-a-blazing” if attacks on Christians persisted and claimed he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for potential military action.

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The comments have sparked diplomatic concern, with Nigerian officials calling for calm, dialogue, and respect for the country’s sovereignty. The Senate’s brief clash underscores the delicate balancing act lawmakers face in navigating both domestic and international pressures.