By Olakunle Adeniyi

The Senate has separated itself from the trip to South Africa by the Nigerian lawmakers over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners by South Africans.

The decision to withdral from the said trip was communicated by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, saying both upper and lower chambers of the parliament failed to reach an agreement on sending delegation down to South Africa.

Senator Ekweremadu during plenary yesterday, while reporting progress on the outcome of senate executive session prior to plenary said that the House of Representatives against the wish of the senate to send a joint delegation insisted on traveling separately without the Senate.

“But rather than traveling separately and embarrassing ourselves, we have decided to let the House of Representatives go. We wish them safe trip and a fruitful delegation, “ Ekweremadu announced.

It would be recalled that the senate had in the wake of the attacks on Nigerians and destruction and looting of their properties by South

Africans last month, urged the Deputy Senate President to lead a delegation of parliamentarians to South Africa to address the matter with the South African government, with the aim of ensuring safety and security of Nigerians in the country.