Apologise to Nigeria, Senate tells Libya govt

The Senate has asked the government of Libya to as a matter of urgency, apologise to Nigeria as a country following the inhumane treatment they subjected the Super Eagles to upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

The Senate condemned in very strong terms, what it described as very shameful behaviour of the Libyan officials and authorities which is an unfortunate incident and total disregard for human dignity and the lack of respect for international norms.

The Upper Chamber has also called for a holistic investigation into the ugly incident.

The resolution of the Senate on Tuesday was sequel to a point of Order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sumaila Kawu, NNPP, Kano South who came under Order 42 of the Senate Standing rules on personal explanation.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North who presided over the Plenary and condemned what happened in Libya to the Super Eagles, said that the way the players were treated was terrible and condemnable and the action was not in tandem with the spirit of sports, adding that the essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent.

Jibrin said, “The matter was brought under Personal Explanation by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South).

“What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya is not in tandem with the spirit of sports. The essence of sports is to promote unity and competition and enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent. The way our players are treated is terrible and condemnable.

“Fortunately, you (Kawu) have come through a personal explanation, and this is what we intended it to do because we don’t want a diplomatic row; we think this is a mistake that the Libyan should be given a chance to correct and apologise to the Nigerian government.

“Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in terms of diplomacy, friendship and everything. Based on that spirit, I am sure you decided that this matter should be treated this way so we can give their leaders a chance to apologise to our national team.

“So, we call on the ambassador and whoever is concerned and the authorities to come out and apologise for what they have done to our national team.

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