‘Nigerians must respect themselves’ — Ndume speaks on Canadian visa denial saga

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has reacted to the denial of Canadian visa to Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS). 

BACKGROUND

Last week, the CDS said the Canadian high commission denied him and other top military officers visas to attend an event honouring war veterans.

Musa, who spoke at an event in Abuja, said he ought to have been in Canada last Wednesday.

He added that the incident was a clear reminder that Nigeria must “stand on its own” and should no longer be taken for granted.

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), who was also at the event, expressed displeasure at the treatment meted to the defence team.

Ribadu also asked the North American country to “go to hell”.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, described the incident as a disrespect to all Nigerians, noting that diplomatic channels could have been used to address any concerns.

He wondered what average Nigerians are being subjected to by the high commission if a high ranking government official like the CDS was handed a raw deal.

Many Nigerians also berated the North American country on social media for denying the CDS, who is the head of the armed forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the president, a visa.

The Canadian high commission in Nigeria had said it would not comment on the circumstances around the visa denial, while acknowledging media reports about the incident.

“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel to Canada by senior officials,” the commission wrote on X.

“However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”

‘NIGERIANS SHOULD RESPECT THEMSELVES’

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Ndume said Nigerians must first respect themselves.

The lawmaker also suggested that Nigerian leaders should learn to stay back home.

“You brought about the CDS drama and how the NSA reacted or overreacted. In the first place, there’s no doubt that that is a kind of disrespect to Nigeria, but you have to respect yourself first,” Ndume said.

“They should have written to them, inviting them. And it is that letter of invitation, I don’t know whether they did that, that they would have used to ask for a visa, and it should be clear, if they don’t get the visa, they don’t go.

“I’m happy the CDS is not worried about it. But if you don’t respect yourself that much, this is what happens.

“How can… I can’t imagine it. How can the CDS of Nigeria, a country that is known and the most populous and ranked top, and we have been contributing to international engagements, denied visa?

“And what they wanted to do was to go and attend the whatever in honour of the fallen heroes. So I can understand why the NSA was very angry, but for me, as I said, let’s be Nigerians.

“I don’t go anywhere. And I’m a senator. For the past 15-20, years, I’ve been in the national assembly. I don’t need to go anywhere. Nigeria is my country.”

In 2024, Ndume, who rejected his appointment as senate chairman on tourism, said he is not a tourist and has no visa to any country.