Former governor of Jigawa State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sule Lamido, has called out the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu over his remarks against Canada’s denial of visas to Nigerian military chiefs.
Ribadu, on Thursday, told Canada to go to hell for refusing the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and other army chiefs visas.
He said the visa snub was “painful” and “disrespectful,” while reacting to comments earlier made by the CDS, who narrated how he and other top military officers were supposed to be in Canada for an official assignment on Wednesday but were denied visas.
Musa said the Canada event is about honouring war veterans. He, however, noted that the denial is a clear reminder that Nigeria must “stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.”
Lamido faulted Ribadu’s handling of the affair, describing it a diplomatic blunder that further tarnishes Nigeria’s global image.
The former Minister of External Affairs, in a statement, said the NSA overstepped his bounds, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was better placed to handle the issue.
He expressed worry over what he described as “rookie management” of Nigeria’s foreign relations, referencing recent tensions within ECOWAS and now with Canada.
“The whole blunder could have been avoided if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were allowed to play their role as the key ministry in guiding our conduct on the global stage,” Lamido stated.
He said instead of a public confrontation, diplomatic channels should have been used to summon the Canadian High Commissioner and address the visa denials.
Lamido said the Ribadu’s approach had inadvertently exposed Nigeria to international embarrassment.
“The NSA should not and must not appropriate the duties of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he warned, urging a more strategic and professional approach to Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
