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.”