Xenophobia: Senate Drops Calls for Tough Diplomatic Response Against South Africa
The Senate has stepped down a motion seeking a review of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with South Africa amid heightened xenophobic tensions in that country.
This comes as the Federal Government prepares to evacuate the fifth batch of Nigerian returnees from South Africa later this evening, from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The Senate condemned the reported xenophobic attacks on Nigerian citizens, warning that the Federal Government could review diplomatic relations with South Africa if the attacks continued.
Senator ASUQUO EKPEYONG of the APC from Cross River State, moved the motion, drawing the attention of the Senate to June 30, 2026, ultimatum allegedly issued to Nigerians and other migrants to leave South Africa.
In his contribution, Senator SALIHU MUSTAPHA of Kwara Central urged the Federal Government to adopt a tougher position in the protection of Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted in South Africa.
On his part, Senator ABDUL NINGI proposed that President BOLA TINUBU should begin the process of severing diplomatic relations with South Africa if the attacks persisted.
Similarly, Senator ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE of Edo North suggested that Nigeria should appropriate the profits of South African companies in Nigeria to compensate Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.
In his ruling, the Deputy Senate President JIBRIN BARAU, who presided over the session, called for restraint and persuaded both senators to withdraw their proposals pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation.
Instead, Senator BARAU said the Committee on Foreign Affairs should first investigate first, stressing that Nigeria should lead Africa by example and act based on well-informed facts.
Therefore, the Senate adopted four resolutions, including directing the Federal Government to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the safety of Nigerians and to demand the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
The Senate also directed the compilation of a comprehensive record of Nigerians who suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention or loss of property with a view to pursuing legal redress and compensation.