Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - The Senate has asked the government of Libya to apologise to Nigeria following the inhumane treatment they subjected Nigeria’s senior football men’s team to, upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Recall that the Super Eagles squad and NFF officials who all traveled to Libya on Sunday October 13, for AFCON qualifier clash, were stranded for over 14 hours after their plane was diverted to a smaller airport.
Senator Ismaila Kawu on Tuesday raised the ill-treatment of the Super Eagles football team by the Libyan authorities and football federation in Libya.
He also urged the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, to call the attention of the Libyan government to the negative
diplomatic consequences of such action.
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.
“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.”
Speaking earlier, Akpabio in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media
and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh condemned the “sh@meful” behavior of Libyan
officials and authorities, labeling the incident as an unfortunate display of
total disregard for human dignity and a lack of respect for international
norms.
The statement read, “As the President of the Senate, I stand in
solidarity with the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and
the entire Nigerian football community in condemning this unjust treatment. The
Nigerian Senate will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure that
the rights and dignity of our citizens are protected. We will not tolerate any
form of mistreatment or disrespect towards our nationals, regardless of the
circumstances.
“We demand a thorough investigation from the Disciplinary Committee of
the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and appropriate sanctions to be
meted out against those involved.
“It is also imperative that the Libyan authorities take immediate action
to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held
accountable to prevent future occurrences.
“We call on the international football community to condemn this
unacceptable behaviour and support our demand for justice.”
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