The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the Senate will meet with the executive arm of government to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to take military action against Nigeria.
Akpabio stated that since the issue touches on foreign policy and diplomatic relations, it requires a coordinated national response between both arms of government.
Last weekend, President Trump had warned that the United States might launch a military offensive against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
In his words:
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria. And may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Senate Awaits Executive Direction
Speaking to journalists, Senator Akpabio explained that the matter has not yet been discussed formally in plenary.
“We have not discussed the issue of President Trump yet in chambers,” he said. “We shall do so in combination with the executive because we believe it is a matter of foreign policy and diplomatic relations. I have refrained from taking any motion on that yet until we know the direction of government and what government intends to do.”
Federal Government Reacts
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria, dismissing such claims as a divisive narrative spread by extremists.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He emphasized that President Tinubu remains calm amid Trump’s remarks and is focused on ensuring that the international community fully understands Nigeria’s efforts to promote peace and religious harmony.
Idris also highlighted that the President’s recent appointment of new service chiefs and other security measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending insecurity across the country.