House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs? has summoned Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to appear before it to clarify Nigeria’s relationship with other African countries.
Ashiru is to appear before the committee on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Elendu-Ukeje said that the committee was disturbed by the diplomatic row brewing between Nigeria and other African countries.
She said the committee was worried by the series of negative attacks on Nigerians by sister African countries.
Apparently referring to the latest deportation of six Nigerians by the Egyptian authorities on Tuesday, the lawmaker said it was another height of “insult and indignation to Nigerians.''
NAN reports that six Nigerians with valid visas were denied entry into Cairo by the Egyptian authorities without any genuine reason.
One of the victims, Sekinat Abiola, said they were denied entry and forced to return via Ethiopian airline that transported them.
Abiola and other victims claimed that they were granted a valid three-month visa at the Egyptian Embassy both in Lagos and Abuja but intended to stay for only two weeks for their respective businesses.
She said they left Nigeria on Sunday and was kept in a room till Tuesday “without food, water or bed to sleep on. This is the second time they are doing this to us without Nigerian government doing anything.''
But Ukeje said: “We are indeed worried about all these indignation and scorn Nigerians were subjected to all over the world especially by sister African nations.
“This calls for a review of our relationship with these countries.
“So we have invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs to a meeting on Tuesday to come and explain to us our relationship with these countries and why Nigerians are being subjected to ridicule all over the world.''
Elendu-Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said it was time for the country to take its rightful position in Africa, which could only be done with redefining its relationship with these African nations.
“The outcome of the meeting will shape our next line of action as a parliament in our foreign policy direction and relationship with these countries.
“We cannot allow these insults on our citizens and the country to continue unabated,’’ she said.
NAN recalled that 125 Nigerians were deported from South Africa on March 2 over Yellow Fever Vaccination card which nearly resulted to a diplomatic row as Nigeria retaliated.
The matter was later resolved with an apology from the South African government. (NAN)