A senator representing Bauchi central, Abdul Ningi, has begged President Goodluck Jonathan to extend his mercy and forgive the Foreign Affairs ministry’s permanent secretary who was sanctioned for ordering the recall of Nigeria’s envoys to South Africa without authorisation.

Mr. Sheni’s decision to recall the officials was in protest to the recent xenophobia in the South African country, this move was criticized by the South African Government headed by President Jacob Zuma.

Ningi also criticized Sheni for his actions but told the Senate to intervene and ask the President to tamper justice with mercy.

“I am aware that the president and Commander-in-Chief is responsible for such a call and also aware that the permanent secretary has no power whatsoever to recall an ambassador without a clear directive by the government,” he said.

“Knowing the anger and the mood of this country and believing that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly did the right thing in suggesting and urging for the executive to recall the ambassador.

“I therefore want this Senate not to look the other way and the president, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to tamper justice with mercy.

“It is indeed his responsibility, powers and jurisdiction and I think it’s important at times like this that the Senate president should urgethe president, so as to say the permanent Secretary should not be dismissed.

“He did the wrong thing at the wrong time and he should not have done it because of the mood so the president, a humble man should tamper justice with mercy,” said Mr. Ningi.

Nigeria’s deputy Senate President, who resided over the issue said that the message will be conveyed to the president.

 The 2015 attacks on Foregners in South Africa was due to a speech by the Zulu King, who said that African nationals living in South Africa was the reason local South african blacks aren’t getting jobs.

READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/433348-please-forgive-senator-begs-jonathan-for-mercy.html