Africa
Gbajabiamila Wants Appropriate Measures Against Ghana Over Demolition
The Speaker, Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila says Nigeria needs to take appropriate measures against Ghana on the incident.
He also said individuals who trample on the diplomatic rights and privileges of Nigeria and Nigerians in foreign lands should be taught a lesson.
The Speaker, who spoke during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, said Nigeria cannot continue to fold its hands while its citizens and assets in other countries are attacked by citizens of their host country.
Read Also: Ghanaian President Begs Nigeria Over Demolition
On Commission residence demolished in Ghana, Gbajabiamila said the Accra attack and demolition constituted a direct attack on Nigeria as a sovereign nation, adding that the high commission or embassy of a country is an extension of its territory and sovereignty.
“We all have a responsibility to make sure that we uphold the honour and integrity of the country that we serve. The minister has explained what happened and what they (Ghanaian authorities) have done or are doing. But I think we should look at it from the premise that it was the Nigerian State that was attacked, not just a building.”
“In terms of visibility and otherwise of the property, I want to say that it is trite to understand that all countries exist through their embassies or high commissions in other countries. So, for that reason, Nigeria was attacked by Ghana because if anything happens in Ghana, it’s the Nigerian High Commission that Nigerians will run to and get protection due to the diplomatic immunity that it should enjoy.
“So, let’s face it. If the American Embassy was demolished, do you think the United States would be asking for apologies and indemnity; or the United Kingdom (UK), Canada or any other Western country? They won’t ask for an apology.
“But we have established a pattern here, because from what I heard, that was not the first time it was happening. It happened before and we said we would look into it and then they apologised and we let it go.
“Others may say that this is a sibling rivalry that is going on between Nigeria and Ghana, and we did nothing. But we must take a stand, because this has gone beyond court processes, as the minister said.”
“This diminishes Nigeria as a state because it’s not a land dispute between Nigeria and any individual, but a diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and Ghana, which should be handled accordingly, because the person who did this did it under the cover of their law.”
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