Gray Urge’s GOV’T To Withdraw Anti-Nigerian Sentiment Claim-Former Lawmaker Says Statement Could Strain Liberia-Nigeria Relations
Former Montserrado County District #8 Representative Acarous M. Gray has criticized the Liberian Government over a diplomatic communication sent through the Liberian Embassy in Nigeria, urging authorities to withdraw claims that recent comments by a Nigerian cleric have sparked rising anti-Nigerian sentiments in Liberia.
Gray described the government’s assertion as “false and misleading,” arguing that there is no evidence of widespread hostility toward Nigerians in Liberia following controversial remarks made by Nigerian pastor and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele.
According to a statement issued, Gray said Liberia and Nigeria have enjoyed decades of cordial relations characterized by mutual respect, cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
“I publicly condemn the statement released by the Liberian Government through its Embassy in Nigeria claiming that there are rising anti-Nigerian sentiments in Liberia as a result of a Nigerian pastor’s comments on governance issues in our country,” Gray stated.
Meanwhile the former lawmaker said, the government’s position misrepresents the prevailing situation in Liberia and risks creating unnecessary diplomatic tension between two nations that have historically maintained strong bilateral relations.
“The people of Nigeria and Liberia have always lived in harmony with mutual respect. I am taken aback that our government would present as fact something that is not happening in Liberia,” Gray added.
He called on the government to immediately retract the statement, warning that such claims could undermine the longstanding friendship between the two West African nations.
“Nigeria remains a lifetime ally of Liberia and the Liberian people. Any communication that has the potential to create unnecessary tension should be withdrawn,” he said.
Gray’s comments come in response to a formal note verbale issued by the Liberian Embassy in Abuja to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the communication, the embassy expressed concern over public statements made by Primate Ayodele, who reportedly described President Joseph Nyuma Boakai as “confused,” “old,” and “tired,” called for his resignation, and predicted a possible coup d’état if the President remains in office.
The embassy stated that the pastor’s remarks had generated concerns among Liberians at home and abroad and had the potential to fuel anti-Nigerian sentiments while threatening Liberia’s peace, stability, and democratic governance.
The Liberian Government further urged Nigerian authorities to take note of its concerns and bring the matter to the attention of relevant institutions for consideration and possible redress.
The diplomatic exchange has since sparked debate, with some observers supporting the government’s efforts to defend Liberia’s image, while others, including Gray, argue that the embassy overstated the public reaction to the pastor’s comments.
