XENOPHOBIA: Nigerians in S/Africa still fear mounting tensions

…as Senate, others call for sanctions, MTN, Multichoice others shut doors

Olusesan Laoye

Palpable fears still grip Nigerians in South Africa over the latest attack on them by the South Africans locals, which many believed  was as a result of envy against Nigerians doing well in many trades and other endeavours,  in that country.

The latest xenophobia, which has heightened tensions among the citizens of the two countries,  has also generated diplomatic  tensions among the governments of the two countries, as many Nigerians including some Senators believed that there should be serious sanctions, against South Africa,  in view of the facts that  attacks on Nigerians,  are becoming  too rampant,  often caused by small disagreements  amongst two neighbours,  often escalated  to serious crisis leading to wild protests calling on Nigerians to leave the country.

Although whenever  such issue arises, the South African government  has always been prompt in quelling the  crisis  from escalating, the arguements of many Nigerians both in the country and  in  South Africa have been that, if the  south African government   has been reprimanding seriously  those involved since the attack started, such would  have  been put   to   and end  by now.

As the  tension continues  from. the latest attack  caused  by the  dispute between  a Nigerian wholesalers  and  a South African, many Nigerians have expressed  the fear about their safety  because the hatred on Nigerian in South Africa have not just stated but date back to the 90s when many Nigerians were forced out of the country.

Nigeria’s Own History

With the  recent trend of events, Nigerians  in  South  Africa were jiterry  and of the opinions that if care is not  taken the faith that  befell  Nigerians, who sojourn in Ghana could befall them,  as it happened in Ghana in the 70s in Nigeria,  and 80s, especially  those from the Yoruba extractions, in the South West, who  were forced to leave the country.

Though there were conflicting reports about the actual populations  of Nigerians in the country but some put it at 1.5 and others  777,000.

It was argued  that  the  intimidating population, and control  of many  trades,  by  Nigerians in  the  country, arising in economic desperation.

This,  it was said,   made the Ghanian government  through  its Foreign  Affairs Minister, Hon Samuel Okudzeto to  write the African Union  (AU) to do something  about Africans  rather than being  friends  but turning to be enemies.

Also in reference was the fight against apartheid  in South Africa, where Nigerians sunk several billions to ensure that  in that country’s black came to power, with the emergence of Nelson Mandela.

Meanwhile,  Nigerians  have not been taking  the latest  xenophobia  against   in South Africa lightly, as the people,  and the  Senators have vehemently spoken against it, calling the action barbaric.

There is also the fear and the notion that with the animosity now declared against South Africa and its citizens, there could be a reprisal  attack  in Nigeria, which could affect the bilateral  relations  between the  two countries.

With the mounting tension  and the uncertainty  belouding  Nigerians in South Africa,  there was a motion in the Senate,  sponsored by Senator,  . Osita Izunaso which  was  presented by Sen. Aniekan Bassey under rules on urgent public importance.

It was argued  that  the issue demanded  growing pressure on the Nigerian  government to adopt a tougher stance as recurring xenophobic violence continues to strain relations between the two countries.

Extreme Measure

One of the outspoken Senators,  who was so bothered and concerned about the situation, Senator Adams Oshiomhole in his argument on the motion,  urged Nigeria to revoke the operating licenses of South African companies, including MTN Group and MultiChoice Group, in view of the latest xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

He made the call as on the floor of the Red  chambers of the National Assembly as he joined others to  rebuked  the latest violence and asked the federal government to take immediate diplomatic steps to protect citizens abroad.

Oshiomhole, former Edo state,  Governor  and ex-whiles President  of the Nigerian Labour  Congress (NLC),  asked Nigeria to  respond firmly, as he expressed the principle of reciprocity in international relations of “If you hit me, I’ll hit you. It is an economic struggle.” he pointed  out

Senator Oshiomhole argued that it was high time for Nigeria to nationalise MTN’s “Nigerian operations and withdraw its license, because  the company is always repatriating significant profits while Nigerians face hostility in South Africa, where  the company  comes from.

“This Senate should adopt a position that MTN … should have Nigeria nationalize and withdraw its license,” he emphasised.

He  as well called for the revocation of  the license of MultiChoice, the operator of DSTV,  saying their operations  are exploitative.

According  to him,  the attacks have always being as  a result of domestic politics in South Africa, arguing, that anti-immigrant rhetoric has fueled hostility toward foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Also Senator,  Victor Umeh described the situation as alarming, pointed out that Nigerians in South Africa are living in fear and unable to move freely. “It is worrisome. They are hiding for their lives,” .

Senator Abdul Ningi warned South African government that Nigeria could retaliate if the attacks persist. “We have alternatives, we have options. Nigeria could respond against South African interests across the continent because  we have the capacity  to do so”. He warned.

In his final submission the Senate President Godswill Akpabio  as well, condemned the attacks and said lawmakers would send a delegation to engage South Africa’s parliament on the matter.

“This is not acceptable, “We are  not seeing action from the government of South Africa.” Akpabio  said.

Preventive Action

As a result of these strong statements from our leaders, and fearing a backlash after a group of Nigerians led political activist Omoyele Swore storm MTN head office in Abuja, the company alongside Multichoice had their doors shut to business to avoid attacks. On Thursday last week, several MTN and Multichoice centre were closed to business during business hours.

But the chairman/CEO of the  Nigerian  in Diaspora  Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who has been in that position since 2018, had a different  view  about the positions  of the Nigerians in South Africa, who are now in a state of confusion, as she  said that, the Nigerian government has been having  talks with the government of South Africa and both countries are looking at the situation diplomatically.

She  blamed the social media for always  escalating the situations  and blowing them out of proportion.

There is also the issue illegal Nigerian immigrants, who cannot be allowed to return because they overstayed their visa.

A Nigerian, who had been a victim of  of xenophobia, in South Africa, who recently relocated  to Nigeria from that country,   Alhaji Ali, an indigene of Osun State,  told Business  HallMark  that, his experience was very bitter that during the 2018 attacks  on Nigerians,  he lost everything he worked for before he decided to come back home to engage  in farming, and   block making, “which i am enjoying now and which also made me regret that I even went to South Africa out of ignorance  to waste my precious time” Honestly there is nothing better than being in your own home where you are free .” He pointed out.

He argued that it is now time for all African countries  to address  the challenges  they are facing which made their citizens to flood into other countries  for greener pastures and survival.

He said “if adequate infrastructures  are provided for establishment of small scale industries, if  there is constant electricity, security  and protection of their citizens is guaranteed, the urge to leave their countries  would be minimised.”

South African companies in Nigeria  are MTN  Groups, MultiChoice, Standard Bank Stanbic IBTC, Protea Hotels as major players,  with the MTN  as  the   major and largest  cellular  network in Nigeria, among  others