Senate withdraws motion calling for reopening of Nigeria-Niger border

The Senate has stepped down the consideration of a motion
calling for the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger borders.

Following the overthrow of Niger’s
civilian government, the Nigerian government had in August ordered the closure
of all borders with the Niger Republic and disconnected power supply to the
country.

In a motion during Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Suleiman Kawu
Sumaila (NNPP, Kano) stated that the border closure had deteriorated economic
activities in many border towns like Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa,
Borno and Yobe states.

Sumaila, while urging the Federal Government to consider
reopening the borders, noted that “the closure runs contrary to the provisions
of the Nigeria constitution that guarantees the security and welfare of the
citizens.”

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Red
Chamber had resolved to back the resolutions of the Economic Community of West
African States, ECOWAS, on the political situation in Niger Republic.

Akpabio, therefore, urged Senator Sumaila to withdraw the
motion, saying the reopening of the borders had security implications.

The Kano lawmaker thereby withdrew the motion.