Reuben Abati has criticized Nicki Minaj for speaking on alleged Christian persecution at a UN event.
He argued the rapper seeks attention and said Nigerians should represent their own national issues.
Former presidential aide Reuben Abati has criticized American rapper Nicki Minaj over her appearance at a United Nations event where she is to speak about the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria. He argued that the rapper is chasing attention and should not be the one addressing such a sensitive issue on behalf of Nigerians.
Minaj alongside the United States ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, on Tuesday in New York, collaborates to highlight what they describe as growing persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Waltz announced the partnership on X, saying he chose to work with Minaj because of her huge global platform, which he believes can draw attention to the situation.
Nicki Minaj has spoken several times about the killings of Christians in Nigeria and recently criticized Nigerian leaders for failing to protect vulnerable communities. Ahead of her UN address, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that she plans to use her voice to shed light on the issue.
However, Abati dismissed her involvement. Speaking on Arise News, he said the matter does not concern the rapper and suggested she should focus on her music career instead.
According to him;
“Nicki Minaj said she wants Americans where there is religious freedom. My response was that, look, Nicki Minaj is a rapper from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She should just concentrate on her Anaconda music, her rap music, and what is it called… Barbs.”
He also claimed she is “chasing clout,” even though she was invited by a White House adviser and by Michael Waltz.
Abati argued that if the discussion is moving into the realm of influencers, Nigeria also has celebrities who can defend the country.
He said; “I think what we should do… is that we also have influencers here. If I were to advise on strategy, by that time, when Nicki Minaj is speaking, we should put Tiwa Savage on national television for her to express patriotic opinions about her country.”
He added that Tiwa Savage or any other Nigerian public figure could offer their own views, saying there is no need for foreigners seeking attention to speak for Nigeria.
