The Senate has rejected the visa-on-arrival policy of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is untimely, considering the wave of insecurity in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier declared issuance of visa-on-arrival to all African travellers by January 2020, suspending the pre-requisite that they apply in advance.
In his Motion, Adewunmi Adetunbi said neither the Executive nor a member of the National Assembly had yet submitted a Bill for the domestication of the said African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which is a necessary requirement before the policy’s implementation.
Also the Senate Minority Leader Eyinnaya Abaribe said a lot of Nigerians were worried about the policy because of the rate of insecurity in the country.
On his part, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan asked the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to forward the pacts signed by Nigeria to the National Assembly, in order to give them the required legal backing.
The Senate also summoned the Minister of Interior, Ra’uf Aregbesola and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to appear before its Committee on Interior, Judiciary and Legal matters for explanations on the legality, logistics and constitutional issues available and required for compliance before the implementation of the policy.
