Senate steps down motion calling for reopening of Nigeria-Niger borders

Senate steps down motion calling for reopening of Nigeria-Niger borders

Tuesday marked the end of the Senate’s consideration of a resolution calling for the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border.

In August, the Nigerian government shut down all of its land crossings with the Niger Republic as part of sanctions against the Niger military coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a motion made at Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano) claimed that numerous border towns in the states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno have experienced a decline in economic activity as a result of the border closure.

According to him, the closure runs contrary to the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria that guarantees the security and welfare of the people.

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He, therefore, urged the federal government to reconsider reopening the borders between Nigeria and Niger to allow free movement of goods between the two countries.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate had resolved to back ECOWAS resolutions on the political situation in Niger Republic.

ECOWAS had announced wide ranging sanctions such as a ‘no-fly zone over Niger and an immediate closure of its borders to force the junta to relinquish power.

Akpabio said there was a need for the Senate to get a proper briefing from the military authorities before taking a position, saying the call for the reopening of the borders had security implications.

He, therefore, urged Senator Kawu to withdraw the motion.

The Kano lawmaker thereby withdrew the motion.

Senate steps down motion calling for reopening of Nigeria-Niger borders