The House of Representatives, on Thursday, called on the Federal Government to offer safe haven to President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia.
The House further expressed support for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led diplomatic efforts at stabilizing the Gambia as it faces difficult stage of transition from one political regime to another.
The house also stand in solidarity with the parliament and people of Gambia in their trying times by securing a way of ending the political stalemate.
The house similarly asked President Jammeh to respect the wishes of the citizens of the country who voted against him in the last election.
The resolutions followed a motion moved by Rep. Sani Zorro APC-Jigawa which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Moving the motion, Zorro said that the clock was clicking fast for the survival of democracy in the country and therefore the need to intensify preventive diplomacy to save Gambia.
According to him, Nigeria's past leadership has played roles in restoring peace and settling conflicts in various Southern and West Africa nations including Congo, Chad, Liberia among others.
He noted that Nigeria's policy of extending safe haven status to endangered African leaders had been part of the nation's dispute settlement.
Zorro added that such gesture in the past had been extended to President Felix Malloun of Chad, Charles Taylor and Yomi Johnson of Liberia and several other leaders.
Supporting the motion, Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje PDP- Abia said granting asylum to the embattled Gambian leader was in consonance with Nigeria's foreign policy thrust.
Also speaking in support of the motion, Rep. Mojeed Alabi APC-Osun noted that before considering the decision to offer Jammeh soft landing Nigerians should be educated on the development and the need to accord him such favour.
However opposing the motion, Rep.. Obinna Chidoka (PDP- Anambra) argued that the house would be' jumping the gun' by offering Jammeh asylum.
He noted saying: "everyone is aware that there was a credible election in The Gambia and that the opposition candidate, Adams Barrow won and was congratulated by the incumbent, Yahya Jammeh, who also conceded defeat'
Also speaking against the motion, Rep. Nasiru Umar (APC-Kano)cautioned that the house should not take a decision that would suggest that the nation was supporting dictatorship.
"We should not be given wrong signals to dictators that after misruling in their countries, they will find a safe haven in Nigeria", he warned.
Similarly, Rep. Pally Iriase (APC-Edo) warned that though the intends of the motion was good, but the house should thread with caution
The house therefore mandated its committees on Foreign Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation
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