By Attah Ede
The Nigeria Senate on Tuesday has given immediate instruction to its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and report back within two weeks.
The senate noted that the outcome of the findings will substantially guide the Federal Government on appropriate diplomatic and policy responses.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), during which lawmakers unanimously condemned the attacks that have claimed lives and destroyed properties of many Nigerians.
The senators during debate on Tuesday, therefore advocated tougher measures against South Africa, with Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) calling on President Bola Tinubu to begin the process of severing diplomatic ties with the country should the attacks continue.
“We can’t pretend those killed are not Nigerians. We are representing Nigerians. When we say caution, what do we mean by that? We can’t be condemning and not doing anything.
“The centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy has to change. Let’s sever relations with South Africa. Enough is enough. Silence is no longer golden,” Senator Ningi said.
He stated that over 1,200 Nigerians were being repatriated from South Africa and argued that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be reassessed. His prayer was, however, turned down.
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) proposed that Nigeria should appropriate the profits of South African companies operating in the country, including financial institutions, and use them to fund and compensate Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks.
“We can’t allow our people to suffer while South African investment and profit are being taken away here; the facts are self-evident. We don’t need further investigation,” the former Edo governor said.
However, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, urged lawmakers to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation.
“Let the committee on foreign affairs investigate first. Nigeria leads Africa. We need to lead by example. Once we have well-informed facts, we can take action. If this report is not satisfactory to this chamber, then we will take the line you were taking,” he said.
Following Barau’s intervention, Senator Ningi agreed to withdraw his proposal for the immediate severance of diplomatic relations but insisted that the Senate records should reflect that the motion had been formally moved and seconded.
At the end of the debate, the Senate directed its committee on foreign affairs to investigate the recurring xenophobic attacks and submit its report within two weeks.
This is to enable the Senate to recommend appropriate actions for the Federal Government in addressing the situation.
