Senate withdraws motion to reopen the Nigeria-Niger border

A motion advocating for the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger borders was not given further consideration by the Senate.

According to OBASANJO NEWS24, the Nigerian government issued an order in August to shut all borders with the Niger Republic and cut off the electricity supply to the nation as a result of the coup of the civilian administration in that nation.

The economic activity in numerous border towns, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe states, have declined as a result of the border closure, according to a motion made during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano).

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While pleading with the federal government to take reopening the borders into consideration, Sumaila pointed out that “the closure runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution that guarantees the security and welfare of the citizens.”

However, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Red Chamber had decided to support the ECOWAS resolutions regarding the political situation in the Niger Republic.

In light of the potential security risks associated with reopening the borders, Senator Sumaila was asked to drop the proposal by Akpabio.

As a result, the legislator from Kano dropped the proposal.