Nigerian MPs reject Ghana’s apology over demolition, push for retaliation

Lawmakers in Nigeria have rejected an apology from neighbouring Ghana over the demolition of some uncompleted apartments at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama told Nigeria’s House of Representatives that Ghana has apologized to Nigeria for “wrongful” demolition of the apartments.

He has also disclosed that a probe was underway by the Ghanaian authorities since the exercise wasn’t sanctioned by the government.

Mr Onyeama also said the Government of Ghana is very remorseful and President Akufo-Addo has even called Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari to apologize.

But the Nigerian lawmakers have rejected the apology, insisting that the incident is a “direct attack on the Federal Republic of Nigeria which must not go unanswered.”

They are asking the Foreign Ministry to institute a direct retaliation on the Ghana Mission in Abuja to send a strong warning to Ghana.

Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila also proposed that Nigeria must reciprocate the attack on its sovereignty by Ghana.

“I think we should look at this thing from the premise that the Nigerian state was attacked. It was not a building that was demolished, no; the Nigerian state was attacked. I think if we look at it from that premise, we will begin to understand or underscore the importance or gravity of what we are dealing with.” The leader of the House said.

Ghana says sorry

Ghana’s foreign affairs minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway on Monday apologized to Nigeria over the incident.

She said “We condemn this action because this is not how we handle matters in Ghana and for anybody to say that it is sanctioned by the government.

I think it is wrong because it is not sanctioned by the government. We are very sorry that this has happened. The relation between our two countries is very strong, even if there is any kind of dispute for it to end in something like this.”

But the Nigerian MPs say the US and UK will not take an incident of this nature lightly to protect their sovereignty adding that Nigeria must do same.