LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria don show dem say dem no go fit accept deportees wey US wan push enter the country. Na Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar talk dis one during interview wey he get with Channels TV on Friday. E use classic rap lyrics from Public Enemy to drive point home. For those wey no sabi, na the popular line from Flavor Flav: ‘Flavor Flav has problems of his own. I can’t do nothing for you, man.’
Tuggar don drop dis hot statement as US dey pressure many African nations to accept migrants and prisoners wey dem wan deport. ‘We already get over 230 million people for here,’ Tuggar talk, as e dey emphasize wetin dey happen for Nigeria and why dem no fit carry extra wahala wey no concern dem.
Na wah! Despite wetin US dey talk about tariffs and visa restrictions for countries wey no agree, Tuggar dey shake dem head. ‘No go dey feel say we no sabi wetin we dey do. How you go expect us to take Venezuelan prisoners when our own house dey burn?’ E add as he express concern say dem fit still blame Nigeria if any wahala come out from that decision.
Meanwhile for July, US deported eight men go South Sudan. Dem don dey transfer these men from various countries like Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, and Mexico, all dis na for them own wahala wey them cause. Tuggar speak against dis nonsense as he draw attention to the fact say Nigeria dey work on other business deals with US, like oil and gas. ‘We dey gree for dia own terms, but no be on top our sovereignty,’ he talk.
US no confirm wetin dem dey do as Tuggar dey open him mouth. But some reports dey say other countries like Rwanda don enter discussion with US for de same matter. Na dimension wey go fit understate the sovereignty of these African countries if dem no careful.
The State Department don put visa restrictions for citizens of Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Cameroon. Nigeria officials don dey vex say dis one no be correct reciprocity; dem see am as pressure tactic. ‘Why we go take Venezuelan prisoners when our people dey face their own issue?’ Tuggar dey ask, clearly vex.
As dem dey negotiate all dis matter, Nigeria dey look for more business opportunities rather than accepting deportees wey no fit enter dem country. Tuggar don make am clear say: ‘We go continue to stand for our national interest.’ Naim be the matter wey dem dey eye as dis politics dey play out for global scene.
With all dis tension flying around, our padi dem for US need to understand say Nigeria no be punching bag. Dem sabi the tune of the music, and for now, na dem own remix we dey hear.