Nigeria need a more direct statement against South Africa, Oshiomhole tells Buhari

Against Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African citizens living in South Africa, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged President Mohammadu Buhari to take a more-strong action against South Africa as it has failed to protect other citizens living in its country.

Oshiomhole, made the call at the end of an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the ruling party in Abuja, said there was a need for the Nigerian government to send a strong warning to South African authorities over the attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners.

He affirmed that the Nigeria government need to show that “we are not chicken to be molested”.

The APC national Chairman also proposed a complete takeover of businesses owned by South Africans in Nigeria.

“In order to send a very strong message to South African authorities and the South African people, it is worth it for the Nigerian government to take steps to take over the remaining shares of MTN that are owned by South Africans so that MTN becomes fully Nigeria-owned.

“If Nigeria decides at least for the next 30 days to stop using MTN, they would have sent a clear message,” the party chairman said.

The APC chairman also asked the government to revoke the licenses granted to banks owned by the South Africans in the country.

He said, “We should no longer sacrifice our own national interest just because we want to be the big brother of a people that does not recognise the role, the enormous and the huge sacrifices our country has made over the years to protect and defend the interest of the African continent.

“While South African government is envious of the small businesses which Nigerians are involved in South Africa, South African companies are making billions of dollars from the Nigerian economy year in year out and repatriating same out of Nigeria,” Oshiomhole added.