Former Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani has accused U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of adopting tactics similar to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approach to Ukraine, citing Trump’s recent statements about Canada and Mexico.
In a post on his X handle on January 10, 2025, Sani expressed concern over Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing the need to respect Canada’s sovereignty.
“The way President Trump is threatening Canada and Mexico looks like that of Putin against Ukraine. Canada’s sovereignty must be respected. If neighbours are treated this way, how will others be?” Sani wrote.
The remarks followed Trump’s controversial comments at a news conference on Tuesday, where he suggested using “economic force” to integrate Canada and the United States. Trump also floated the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” a move widely criticized as provocative and dismissive of regional identities.
Sani’s comparison to Putin highlights concerns about rising tensions in North America, with Trump’s statements drawing parallels to Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine, which began with its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022.
The former Nigerian lawmaker’s comments have sparked debates on social media, with many agreeing on the need to uphold international respect for sovereignty while others dismissed the comparison as exaggerated.
Trump, who is set to take office soon, has not clarified whether these statements reflect genuine policy intentions or are part of his characteristic off-the-cuff remarks. However, analysts warn that such rhetoric could strain relations with Canada and Mexico, two of America’s closest allies and trading partners.
The international community is closely monitoring the unfolding dynamics as Trump’s administration prepares to begin its term.
