Senator Ali Ndume has responded to the controversy surrounding Canada’s decision to deny the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and several Nigerian military officials visas to attend a Canadian event honoring war veterans.
Last week, General Musa revealed that while some members of his delegation were granted visas, he and several senior military officers were left stranded after their visa applications were rejected.
The incident sparked anger among some Nigerians, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who publicly condemned the Canadian embassy, saying, “Go to hell.”
However, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, criticized the military officers and NSA Ribadu, questioning the need for a delegation of 70 people for the Canadian event.
He asked, “What were 70 officers going to do at the Winter Games in Canada?”
Senator Ndume, in an interview on Channels TV on Sunday, February 16, addressed the matter.
While he acknowledged that Canada’s refusal to grant the visas was disrespectful, he emphasized the importance of Nigerians respecting themselves first.
“There is no doubt that that is a kind of disrespect to Nigeria, but you have to respect yourself first,” Ndume said. “I can’t imagine it. How can the CDS of Nigeria, a country that is the most populous and ranked top, and has been contributing to international engagement, be denied a visa? What they wanted to do was attend an event. I can understand why the NSA was very angry, but for me, like I said, let’s be Nigerians. I don’t go anywhere, and I am a Senator for the past 20 years. I don’t need to go anywhere. Nigeria is my country. We have everything. We don’t need to embarrass ourselves.