Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno Central, has called on the Federal Government to deploy experienced diplomats to defend Nigeria’s image internationally, following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of the country as a “country of particular concern.”
Trump, in a post shared on his Truth Social account and the White House’s X handle on Friday, alleged that Christians were being massacred in Nigeria and described the situation as “genocide.”
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Ndume urged the government to act swiftly and strategically to counter the damaging narrative and protect Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Before things get out of hand, Nigeria should engage seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Sulu Gambari, and Amina Mohammed of the United Nations,” Ndume said.
He added that the Federal Government should also liaise closely with the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria to clarify facts and correct misconceptions.
“We can change the narrative by ensuring that we are not tagged a ‘country of particular concern,’ but rather a ‘country of special concern,’ so that they can give us all the necessary support, including arms and ammunition, to effectively contain terrorists,” he said.
