Nigerian lawmakers move to resolve Gambia’s impasse

The lower legislative chamber of Nigeria, the House of Representatives will on Thursday debate a motion seeking to provide a safe haven for Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.

House on Wednesday admitted the motion, which was moved by Hon Mr. Sani Zoro from Jigawa State under matters of urgent public importance.

Zoro moved that Jammeh be allowed to come to Nigeria to rest, where his safety can be guaranteed while he is out of office, as part of efforts to ensure a crisis-free transition in The Gambia.

Jammeh has criticised the pressure being put on him to step down by the international community while also calling on his compatriots to wait for a Supreme Court ruling to determine the credibility of last month’s election.

Addressing Gambians on national television in a surprise message, Jammeh lashed out at “an unprecedented level of foreign interference in our elections and internal affairs and also a sustained smear campaign, propaganda and misinformation”.

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He also announced the appointment of a mediator to help resolve the country’s political impasse.

The West African country has been thrust into a crisis following a December 1 presidential vote, which saw longtime ruler Jammeh losing to opposition leader Adama Barrow.

Jammeh who initially conceded defeat later reversed his position, lodging a legal case aimed at annulling the election result and triggering moves for new elections.

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