The Senate has backed out of a scheduled trip by the Nigerian parliament to South Africa where it had intended to discuss with the South African government about the recurring xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, especially on Nigerians.
This is due to the failure of both chambers of the National Assembly to reach a compromise on sending a joint delegation of federal legislators to South Africa.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who disclosed this after a closed door session at Wednesday plenary, said the lower house, against the wish of the Senate to send a joint delegation, insisted on traveling separately without the upper legislative chamber.
“But rather than travelling separately and embarrassing ourselves, we have decided to let the House of Representatives go. We wish them safe trip and a fruitful delegation,” he stated.
It will be recalled that the Senate had in the wake of the attacks on Nigerians and destruction and looting of their properties by South Africans last month, urged the Deputy Senate President to lead a delegation of parliamentarians to South Africa to address the matter with the South African Government, with the aim to ensuring safety and security of Nigerians in the country.
Other senators that were billed to join the delegation from the Senate were the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal, Deputy Leader, Ibn Na’Allah, Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye.
