Ndume Urges FG to Engage Veteran Envoys to Salvage Nigeria’s Image After Trump’s Genocide Allegation

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has urged the Federal Government to urgently deploy experienced diplomats to defend Nigeria’s image in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial designation of the country as a “nation of particular concern.”

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform and the White House’s official X handle on Friday, claimed that Christians in Nigeria were being subjected to “mass killings,” describing the situation as a “genocide.”

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump alleged, adding that Nigeria had been designated as a “country of particular concern.”

Under U.S. law, the designation applies to countries accused of violating religious freedoms or engaging in actions that contradict American foreign policy interests — a status that could attract sanctions, aid restrictions, and travel bans for government officials.

In a statement on Saturday, Ndume said the situation called for urgent diplomatic intervention to correct what he described as a “dangerous misconception” capable of damaging Nigeria’s reputation globally.

“Before things get out of hand, Nigeria should engage seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Professor Sulu Gambari, and Amina Mohammed at the United Nations,” he said.

According to the Senate Chief Whip, these respected figures have the experience and international credibility to present Nigeria’s case objectively and prevent the situation from escalating.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to engage directly with the American government and embassy to provide accurate data showing that terrorist attacks in the country target both Muslims and Christians.

“We can change the narrative by ensuring that we aren’t tagged a ‘country of particular concern,’ but rather a ‘country of special concern,’ so that we can get the necessary support — including arms and logistics — to fight terrorism effectively,” Ndume said.

“The good thing about America is that once they know the truth, they stick to it.”

Ndume also criticised both the Federal Government and the National Assembly for not taking seriously earlier warnings issued by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore on the same issue.

“I have alerted the government; I even moved a motion on this matter. Nigeria is a sovereign state, and we must not allow false narratives to define us,” he stated.

He cautioned that the classification could have ripple effects on international relations and security cooperation, urging the Tinubu administration to act swiftly to engage Washington diplomatically.

“We must present facts and figures to show that Muslims have also been victims of terror attacks. The killings are not about religion; they are about Nigerians being targeted by terrorists,” Ndume maintained.