A Nigerian lawmaker Bassey Aniekan has denounced recent protests by some Ghanaians demanding the deportation of Nigerians, describing the calls as unjust and based on harmful generalisations.
A video circulating on social media shows a group of Ghanaians staging a protest, claiming that Nigerians’ conduct does not reflect Ghanaian norms. The demonstration has sparked concern among Nigerian citizens living in Ghana and their families back home.
Aniekan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non Governmental Organisations and represents Akwa Ibom North East, responded by urging caution and diplomacy. “Nigerians are hardworking people and not criminals as purported,” he said. “They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves. While there may be a few bad individuals among them, the generality of Nigerians are peaceful and law abiding people.”
The senator highlighted the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between the two West African nations and stressed the importance of preserving peace in line with ECOWAS values. “Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and should continue to live in peace,” he said. “Dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.”
He urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm and avoid any form of retaliation or escalation. He also warned both citizens and media against spreading misinformation, specifically videos alleging destruction of Nigerian owned shops and properties in Ghana. According to Aniekan, there is no verified evidence supporting such claims.
Aniekan confirmed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, is engaging with Ghanaian authorities on the matter. He commended both the Nigerian and Ghanaian high commissioners for their swift diplomatic interventions, adding that inciteful rhetoric must be avoided to prevent worsening the situation.
