The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has condemned the Canadian embassy’s decision to deny a visa to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, calling it an act of disrespect to the country.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television program, Tunji-Ojo expressed concern over the treatment of Nigeria’s top military officer, warning that if a high-ranking official like the CDS could face such rejection, ordinary Nigerians would likely suffer worse treatment.
“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us it is a policy. The issue of reciprocity, as I always say, has to be given due consideration. As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas and migration management is a sovereign issue,” he said.
The minister further described the embassy’s decision as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty, emphasizing that such actions could strain diplomatic relations between both countries.
“It is not just a disrespect to the Chief of Defence Staff. To me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people. If that can happen to the Chief of Defence Staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian,” Tunji-Ojo added.
General Musa had earlier revealed at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja that he and members of his team were denied visas to attend an event honoring war veterans in Canada.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with top Nigerian officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, openly criticizing the Canadian government’s action.
As of now, the Canadian embassy has yet to issue an official response regarding the controversy.