Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied a recent publication claiming he said Nigerians are not complaining about insecurity and that former U.S. President Donald Trump should focus on America rather than Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Akpabio clarified that he never made such a statement, noting that the Senate has not yet deliberated on issues concerning Donald Trump in the chambers.
He explained that any discussion relating to foreign leaders or international relations must align with the Federal Government’s foreign policy direction.
The Senate President stressed that he has refrained from entertaining any motion on the matter until the executive arm provides guidance on Nigeria’s official position.
Akpabio further argued that Nigerians should understand that President Trump’s position is not based on current realities, but on a purported 2010 report about 15 years ago in which some individuals from the U.S. Congress visited only Plateau and Benue States.
He stressed that Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation where citizens coexist peacefully, noting that misrepresenting isolated incidents as a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims is completely untrue.
Also commenting on the matter, former senator and Presidential Adviser on Senate Matters, Senator Ita Enang, cautioned that the issue is highly sensitive.
He advised that both chambers of the National Assembly should discuss it in conjunction with the Executive arm of government to ensure a unified national position.
COV/ Bashir M
