[JUST IN] AFCON: Apologise To Nigeria – Senate Tells Libya Government

The Senate has urgently requested that the Libyan government apologise to Nigeria following the inhumane treatment inflicted upon the country’s national team, the Super Eagles, upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The Senate strongly condemned what it characterized as disgraceful conduct by Libyan officials and authorities, labelling the incident as unfortunate and a blatant violation of human dignity, as well as a disregard for international standards.

Furthermore, the Senate has called for a comprehensive investigation into this distressing event.

Naija News reports that this resolution was prompted by a point of order raised by Senator Sumaila Kawu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, who invoked Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation.

In his comments, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, who presided over the session, denounced the treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of sports.

Jibrin emphasized that the purpose of sports is to foster unity, competition, and camaraderie among nations on the continent.

He 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.

“So, I thank the Chairman of the Sports Committee. You have done very well, and it is good that you have brought forth this matter. You have shown that you are up and doing in terms of your duties.”