The Nigerian Senate has demanded that the Libyan government apologize to Nigeria following the mistreatment of the Super Eagles upon their arrival in Libya for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The call for an apology came after an incident where the Nigerian national football team experienced what was described as inhumane treatment by Libyan officials.
In response, the Senate condemned the behavior of the Libyan authorities, calling it “shameful” and a violation of international norms. The lawmakers also demanded a full investigation into the matter to ensure accountability.
The issue was raised during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Sumaila Kawu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, who expressed his disappointment with the treatment of the Super Eagles. Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, who presided over the session, joined in the condemnation, describing the treatment as “terrible and condemnable.”
“What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya is not in line with the spirit of sports. Sports should promote unity, competition, and brotherhood among countries,” Jibrin stated.
He emphasized the importance of giving the Libyan authorities an opportunity to rectify their actions and apologize. “Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in terms of diplomacy and friendship,” he added.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also strongly condemned the mistreatment. Through his media adviser, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio issued a statement describing the actions of the Libyan officials as “a stark reminder of the disregard for human dignity and the lack of respect for international norms.”
“The mistreatment of our players is unacceptable and a breach of the principles of fair play and sportsmanship. The Nigerian Senate stands in solidarity with the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the entire Nigerian football community in condemning this unjust treatment,” Akpabio said.
The Senate also called for the Confederation of African Football to investigate the incident and impose sanctions on those responsible. They urged the Libyan authorities to take swift action to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents.
“We demand a thorough investigation from CAF’s Disciplinary Committee and proper sanctions for those involved. The Libyan authorities must investigate and hold those responsible accountable,” Akpabio added.