- Aniekan urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm and not react to provocations from protesters or online rumours.
- He said there was no verifiable evidence of Nigerian shops or property being destroyed during the protest.
The chairman of the senate committee on diaspora and non-governmental organisations, Senator Bassey Aniekan, has condemned calls for the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana.
Aniekan was reacting to a viral video showing some Ghanaians protesting and demanding that Nigerians be sent back to their country.
The protesters had accused Nigerians of exhibiting behaviours they claimed were inconsistent with Ghanaian culture and values.
The senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east described the protest as unfair and said Nigerians should not be generalised as criminals.
“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.”
He urged both countries to preserve their long-standing relationship and uphold regional unity in line with ECOWAS principles.
“Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and should continue to live in peace,” Aniekan said.
“Dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.”
The lawmaker called for calm and urged Nigerians in Ghana to avoid provocations or retaliatory actions that could worsen the situation.
He confirmed that the minister of state for foreign affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, was already engaging Ghanaian authorities through diplomatic channels.
Aniekan warned against the use of inflammatory language on either side, saying it could further inflame tensions.
He also dismissed online claims that Nigerian-owned shops and properties were being destroyed in Ghana, stating there was no evidence to support such allegations.
He commended the Nigerian and Ghanaian high commissioners, as well as the minister of state, for acting swiftly to address the issue.