The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there is no diplomatic rift between Nigeria and The Gambia following tensions between Nigeria’s representative at the ECOWAS Commission and the Commission’s President.
Addressing Diplomatic Correspondents in Abuja, the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that the Ministry was aware of the letter allegedly sent by the Commission President requesting Nigeria to withdraw its representative, although he noted he had not personally sighted it.
He said, “Yes, we were informed that a letter was sent. However, I have not seen the letter or its full context.”
At the centre of the conflict is Nigeria’s Commissioner for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Nazifi Abulaye Dama, who was appointed in 2022 and has seven months left in his four-year tenure. Recent reports alleged attempts by the ECOWAS Commission President, a Gambian national, to have Nigeria withdraw its commissioner, and counter-petitions by a Nigerian civil society group calling for the recall of the Commission’s President.
The Ministry’s spokesperson stressed that contrary to speculation, there is no diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and The Gambia.
“There is no issue between Nigeria and Gambia. We have a very cordial relationship,” he said. “Nigeria has supported Gambia in several areas—military, judiciary, health and governance. So it is wrong for anyone to suggest that a Gambian official is ‘oppressing’ Nigeria.”
Mr. Ebienfa said Nigeria had already invited its commissioner for briefing, and the matter had been brought to the attention of President Bola Tinubu.
“The President is aware of the matter, and the ministry has provided guidance. The final decision rests with the President,” he explained.
He also clarified that disciplinary issues at the ECOWAS Commission follow an established protocol involving the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, of which Nigeria’s foreign minister is a member.
“Disciplinary matters involving commissioners are handled by the Council of Ministers. With the ECOWAS Summit coming up in the second week of December, we believe the issues will be addressed amicably,” he added.
Responding to claims that the Ministry was colluding with the ECOWAS leadership to undermine the Nigerian commissioner, Mr. Ebienfa dismissed such speculations as false.
“It is not true that the minister is conniving with anyone to undermine a Nigerian. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has always defended Nigeria’s interests at all international platforms,” he emphasized.
The spokesperson confirmed that Professor Dama had taken the ECOWAS Commission President to the Community Court of Justice, limiting the Ministry’s ability to comment further.
“Since the matter is already in court, we cannot say much. The court will interpret the rules and determine what should be done,” he said.
Mr. Ebienfa urged commentators and the media to avoid framing the situation in ways that could cause unnecessary diplomatic tension between friendly nations.
