Posted by From: ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Abuja on
Rising from about one hour debate, the Senate yesterday called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to sever relationship with African leaders who have tendencies to sit-tight in government against the wishes of their people, saying that he should stop recognising leaders who emerged under undemocratic circumstances.
Rising from about one hour debate, the Senate yesterday called on President Umaru Yar'Adua to sever relationship with African leaders who have tendencies to sit-tight in government against the wishes of their people, saying that he should stop recognising leaders who emerged under undemocratic circumstances.
To the Senate, the increasing spate of violent crises around Africa is occasioned by the sit-tight attitude of some African leaders.
The Senate's decisions followed the adoption of a motion on the security implications of the crises in the Chad Republic to Nigerians, sponsored by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Maina Maaji Lawan.
Moving the motion, which also urged the executive arm of government to take urgent steps towards improving the welfare of Nigeria 's security agents at the border areas, Senator Lawan expressed deep concern over the untold hardships imposed on Nigeria and Nigerians by the protracted fighting between government and the opposition alliance in the Republic of Chad.
He said that 'the latest dimension is that there is a report that over 3,500 Chadian refugees fleeing Chad have already entered this country. The enormity of the humanitarian calamity as well as security risk posed by the crisis to Nigeria has been so worrisome that urgent measures needed to be taken."
Speaking in the same vein, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said there was need for Nigeria to be very cautious in her big brother roles in Africa , adding, 'I think it has come to a point that we should ensure that as we act as our brothers' keepers, we must protect our national security."
On his part, Senator Ayogu Eze said, 'This is a symptom of Nigeria 's failure to provide leadership. How can they take a country that does not take its own self seriously? We should sit down and review our foreign policies. Most African countries have benefited from Nigeria 's benevolence and have taken an undue advantage of it; we are just like an old hag that is rapped by every passer bye."
In the end, the Senate adopted the following prayers: 'That the Senate calls on the Federal Government to continue to work with the African Union (AU) and other International Organizations to bring the United Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) and the Chadian Government to end the hostilities through resort to dialogue.
'Appreciate the efforts of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in assigning the relevant security agencies, particularly the Army and Immigration Service, to strengthen security on the Chad-Nigerian border; and urge the National Commission for Refugees to provide relief materials to the refugees and other victims of the crises, especially in the border towns of Baga, Gamborou-Ngala, Mallam Fatori and other towns, to assist in controlling the refugees who are mostly women, children and the elderly."