Divergent reactions have begun to trail a comment made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, where he condemned Canada for its visa denial decision against Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
“They can go to hell”, Ribadu slammed Canada in his comment while sympathizing with Musa, who had earlier disclosed that he was denied visa alongside some members of the top echelon of the Nigerian military. Both men spoke side-by-side on Thursday at the inaugural annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja.
While the visa denial has raised grave questions about Canada’s stance on Nigerian military and its broader diplomatic relationship with Nigeria, some Nigerians had seized the opportunity to take a dig at the Nigerian government over the country’s current state domestically and overseas.
An X user, Kapitan Sparrow @kapitan_sparow, remarked: “They are doing perfectly fine without you or your chiefs! In contrast, it is your chief who requests access to their country and they reserve the right to grant access or deny access! Let your boss, you, and your chiefs do what you are supposed to do by fixing our country.”
Another X user, OBODOH Wisdom, quipped: “A man in hell is telling someone in heaven to go to hell. @NuhuRibadu isn’t aware that Nigeria is in the deepest part of hell?”
But Wale Adebayo @Mario9jaa wrote: “I dislike conspiracies but the Chief of Defense Staff has been questioning international agencies for their contributions towards insecurity in Nigeria long before now. Why was he denied a visa into Canada? Can’t say yet but this confidence, we need like mad.”
The specific reasons for the refusal remain unclear as Canada was yet to officially react to the visa denial controversy, including the salvo fired by Ribadu as of the time of this reporting.
According to General Musa, the military officials were due to attend an event organized by the Duke of Sussex and British royal, Prince Harry in Canada honouring war veterans, but only a portion of the delegation was granted visas by the Canadian embassy in Nigeria.
Speaking on the shocking development, the duo of Ribadu and Musa expressed great frustration, describing it as “disrespectful” and “very disappointing” respectively as they emphasized on the need for Nigeria to assert itself on the global stage and not be taken for granted.
Musa, who is currently the highest ranking officer of the Nigerian military stated, “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were supposed to be there.
“We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing.
“It’s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.”
But it was the comments made by Nigeria’s NSA, Ribadu that poured vituperations on the Canadian government, something which has now divided opinions.
“Thank you for having the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country.”
Ribadu continued: “Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria thrive. I commend you for providing purposeful leadership in the fight against insecurity.”
