As one of the latest episodes in President Donald Trump’s string of eccentricities, the immigration ban on seven Muslim countries has become one of the most controversial executive orders in the recent history of the United States. Despite being arguably the strictest in the world, Trump argues that the American refugee system is too lenient in its admission of people from these countries. Of course, his leading pretext is the preclusion of another 9/11 attack. In response, many Nigerians have expressed indifference, while some are actually in support of such absurdity. However, we should all be terribly concerned.
What is particularly disturbing about this situation is what history has taught us to be an explosion of realisation of agendas. Trump’s Islamophobic remarks during the electoral period, coupled with his insistence that he would keep drag traffickers, rapists and whatnot out of America [a nom de plume for blacks and Mexicans], have begun to manifest. He chose the countries with the highest influx of Muslim immigrants. Interestingly enough, Saudi Arabia, the home country of Osama bin Laden, was exempted. Does that not clearly defeat the whole point? All that was needed was an excuse to mitigate the immigration of Muslims to the American soil.
This brings us to the situation of Nigerians. Who can forget so easily the case of Abdulmutallab? He was beheld as the representation of the entirety of the Nigerian youth in a country which sees us as a nation of looters, scammers and murderers. It was once reported by the Israeli government that 70 per cent to 80 per cent of drugs being trafficked to the US through Europe is from Nigeria. Apart from this, Trump already has his sights set on Nigeria, contesting the established visa validity period. How long will it take before he pounces on the country completely?
Furthermore, while the Nigerian government has largely quietened the operations of the deadly sect, Boko Haram, its affiliation with ISIS could implicate Nigeria. In the purported war against terrorism and other forms of security threats to America, Trump is avowedly pulling no punches, regardless of the lack of political correctness in his approach. After all, Trump once, when condemning President Muhammadu Buhari, said: “…in Nigeria, where all that matters to the President is the full introduction of Islam…” With white supremacists such as Steve Bannon and his ilk flanking Trump, we should not write off the possibility of an agenda to keep the filth of Nigerians out of the country. As Nigeria is increasingly being associated with threats of Islamisation and Trump being fully aware of it, being blacklisted is progressively growing in probability of being a quotidian reality for the country.
Indeed, this is a very dangerous era for global politics. As the leader of the Free World, Trump has immense power over so many aspects of international dealings and by refusing access to Nigeria, should he gain the backing of the appropriate figures, he would be destroying families and crushing hopes.
Now, what do we do? Is the response supposed to be agitation and fear? Yes, it is. We should be fearful and agitated, but we should channel these feelings into a more practical and positive-oriented action. We must join the worldwide protest. We must oppose this so-called Muslim ban. Despite being hindered by a US judge, Trump’s executive order is still of extreme influence and could create a precedent which other world leaders will follow. Besides, Trump has not backed down in this pursuit in the face of opposition from millions of Americans over this asinine policy. We should contribute to the global expression of disgust towards the ban before it is our turn.
Before we become like the metaphorical fellow who showed indifference when the oppressors came for his neighbours until the day they came for him too, let us speak out against this, regardless of our religious affiliations, because it is, in the end, in our selfish interests to protest.
. Olorunnisola is a final-year student of Philosophy at the University of Ibadan.
Trending
- As Elegushi marks 14 years on the throne, by Temitope Oyefeso
- Bello tackles EFCC over reported refund of $760,000 by his child’s school
- Bello: Ex-presidential aide queries school for collecting $700,000 excess fees
- Man caught with human head exhumed from CAN cemetery
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC now a judge in its own cause, by Sabiu Gaya
- CAF dismisses USM appeal on controversial Confederation Cup duel
- Nigerian Idol Season 9 auditions kicks off with no Platinum Card winner yet
- Tunde Onakoya: My mum worked as a cleaner, my dad as ‘danfo’ driver, bus conductor