Abuja — In a move that could lead to a major diplomatic row, Nigeria has recalled its ambassador to Libya, Alhaji M. K. Ibrahim.
The recall is in relation to the North African country's leader Muammar Ghaddafi's suggestion that Nigeria is better off "split" into two countries - one Muslim, the other Christian - as a way of solving its sectarian and religious problems.
Nigeria's action comes as the House of Representatives strongly expressed displeasure yesterday over Ghaddafi's utterances, urging the Nigerian government to commence the process of severing ties with the country.
A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ambassador to Tripoli, the Libyan capital, was recalled for "urgent negotiations" because of the "irresponsible utterances of Colonel Ghaddafi".
"His theatrics and grandstanding at every auspicious occasion have become too numerous to recount," the statement added.
Lawmakers also asked the Nigerian government to summon the Libyan envoy in Nigeria to explain the true position of his home government on the matter.
Chairman, House Committee on Airforce, Honourable John Halims Agoda, who sponsored a motion on the Libyan issue said Ghaddafi's comments deserved to be condemned.
Agoda argued that it is ironical and unfortunate that Ghaddafi who during his recent tenure as the Chairman of the African Union (AU) had canvassed the creation of a United States of Africa, is now interested in the balkanisation of Africa's most populous country.
He said that although Ghaddafi has remained controversial on African politics and global politics, his call for the disintegration of Nigeria must not be taken lightly.
"We urge the Federal Government to liaise with the United Nations Security Council to as a matter of utmost urgency order the Libyan Leader, Colonel Muammar Ghaddafi, to stop forthwith his call for the break up of Nigeria along religious divide in order to end the recurring crisis in the country.
"We also call on the Federal Government to request the African Union (AU) to order an independent investigation into the motivation of Colonel Ghaddafi's comments on Nigeria and ascertain if there is a relationship between the comments and the primary sources of the supply of infiltrators who come to fight Nigerians in their homeland.
"It is very inciting and dangerous to the corporate existence of Nigeria. We should condemn his (Ghaddafi) utterances and forge ahead as one indivisible nation in line with the vision of our founding fathers. We must see our differences as something that should propel us to move ahead and continue to live in peace with our neighbours," Agoda said.
Chairman, House Committee on Banking and Currency, Honourable Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, said the utterances credited to Ghaddafi are the hallmark of irresponsibility while Honourable Sada Soli Jibia said they are laughable. He added that his words must have been borne out of ignorance on the true situation of things in Nigeria. Others who condemned the Libyan leader include Honourable Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim and Honourable Dino Melaye.
Although Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon expressed misgivings with the utterances, he called on the National Assembly and Nigerians to see it as a wake up call. According to Obahiagbon, Ghaddafi might have gone too far in his postulations on Nigeria, but the religious and ethnic conflicts that had plagued the nation in recent times need to be addressed decisively to safeguard the unity of the country.
Obahiagbon recalled that not too long ago, a group in the United States of America predicted that Nigeria would become a failed state by 2015 and later reviewed it to 2013. He argued that given the trend of events in the country in recent times, Nigeria may actually be moving towards the precipice just as Ghaddafi said, unless urgent steps are taken to halt the drift towards disintegration.
Former Speaker of the House, Honourable Patricia Etteh, also argued in the same direction but the duo of Honourable Ike Chinwo and Honourable Alex Ukam were bluntly against the motion because of their belief that Ghaddafi spoke based on the indices of disintegration which, they said, were already manifesting across Nigeria.
They both argued that rather than vilify Ghaddafi, the Federal Government should rise to the challenge of insecurity in places such as Jos, Plateau State and the Niger Delta. Security agencies deployed in these flash points should be alive to their responsibilities - investigating, apprehending, prosecuting and punishing all persons who unleash terror on the society, they argued.
On Tuesday, Senate President David Mark described Ghaddafi as a "mad man" for advocating the break-up of the country. Other reactions also condemned the North African leader for his inflammatory comments.
Ghaddafi had also suggested that India and Pakistan are better off after they were split between the mainly Muslim Pakistan and Hindu dominated India.
Meanwhile, the House urged security agencies to conduct a thorough probe into the bomb blasts that rocked Warri, Delta State on Monday during a post-amnesty conference organised by Vanguard Newspapers. -- With agency
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