Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has warned that any attempt by Nigeria to push for the removal of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from the upcoming World Cup finals could trigger serious diplomatic consequences, including harsher U.S. visa restrictions on Nigerians.
Sani said the warning is linked to the growing relationship between the United States and the DRC, noting that the DRC recently signed a major agreement granting the U.S. access to mineral resources worth billions of dollars. According to him, this deal has strengthened U.S. President Donald Trump’s admiration for the DRC’s leadership.
He pointed out that while Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup finals to be hosted in the United States, the DRC secured qualification. Sani alleged that Nigeria is now “fishing for evidence” in a bid to dislodge the DRC from the tournament.
The former lawmaker cautioned that if Nigeria succeeds in such a move, it could provoke the anger of President Trump, given America’s economic and strategic interests in the DRC.
Sani further warned that this could worsen Nigeria’s standing with the U.S., potentially escalating existing partial visa restrictions to what he described as a “forever visa restriction” against Nigerians.
His comments come amid heightened public debate over Nigeria’s World Cup qualification failure and broader concerns about the country’s diplomatic relations with key global partners.
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