Former lawmaker and human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has condemned an alleged portrayal of former United States President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as monkeys, calling it a racist insult to the Black race. The depiction has been linked to US President Donald Trump.
In a post shared on X on Friday, Sani described the depiction as disrespectful and unacceptable, asserting that it reflects deep-seated racism. He emphasised that, despite political differences and varying levels of development across African countries, no African leader would treat a predecessor with such contempt.
“The action represents a degradation of the dignity and prestige of the office of the President of the United States,” he said.
Sani further wrote: “To depict Obama and Michelle as monkeys is a racist insult to the whole of the Black race. Despite our ‘underdevelopment’ and political differences, no African president can treat his predecessor with such disdain, contempt, thuggery, and hatred. Historians will have a lot to write about the denigration of that esteemed office by ‘the leader of the free world.’”
The former senator’s statement underscores concerns over racial sensitivity and respect for institutional dignity in global politics. He urged leaders and citizens alike to denounce actions that demean individuals or entire communities based on race.
The condemnation comes amid heightened scrutiny of social media content and its influence on public perception, particularly when it involves high-profile political figures. Sani’s remarks have sparked discussions on the responsibility of leaders to uphold decorum and respect across national and racial lines.
