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.

DAILY POST reports that 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.