Trump’s remarks show ignorance about Nigeria’s realities — Sen. Ali Ndume

The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his recent comments on Nigeria, saying they reveal ignorance about the country’s complex challenges.

Speaking on Arise TV’s PrimeTime on Monday, Ndume stated that many Americans have a limited understanding of Nigeria’s realities. “I have been to America myself. The average American is innocent,” Ndume said. “You will find an American who lives in Ohio, grows up in Ohio, and has never been to Chicago. That’s where the problem is.”

He explained that this narrow perspective often leads to false conclusions about Nigeria and noted that he once moved a motion in the Senate titled Urgent Need to Correct the Misconception of Nigeria Being a CPC. “They said they have set up a committee but nothing was done, and it was treated with levity,” he added.

Ndume also faulted how Western countries, including the United States, issue warnings about Nigeria without considering all perspectives. “One thing about them is that they issue strong warnings because they only listen to one side and ignore the other,” he said.

Citing recent violent attacks, the lawmaker emphasized that insecurity affects all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity. “If you look at what happened to the Christian faithful in Benue recently, where about 200 people were killed and buried in a mass grave, anyone who sees that would know how gruesome it is. All lives matter,” he stated.

He further recalled personal experiences with terrorism. “In my village, our Emir was killed by Boko Haram on the streets. In my town, about 75 elders were taken to a slaughterhouse; only one escaped,” he lamented.

Ndume stressed that Nigeria’s problems are real and require empathy, understanding, and balanced reporting, not biased judgment from foreign nations.