Senator Uba Sani has condemned the xenophobia attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, describing it as an affront on African unity and betrayal of the long mutual relationship between the two countries.
According to the Senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial zone, there is need for South African government and security agencies to put an end to the “shocking and deeply disturbing” xenophobic attacks targeted at Nigerians, other Africans and their businesses, as it could drastically affect the unity of African countries and undermine their economic relationships.
Senator Uba Sani in a press release made available to Blueprint on Wednesday in Kaduna, said, “the attacks on Nigerians and their businesses betrayed the long standing relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, strengthened by the front line role played by Nigeria in the apartheid struggle”.
The lawmaker carpeted the South African authorities for their “inaction” describing their lacklustre disposition on the matter as “highly condemnable. The seeming nonchalance of the South African authorities has reinforced the perception in informed circles that there may indeed be complicity from the highest level.
“The message for South Africa must be loud and clear, that Nigerian lives matter. Henceforth, no country or people must be allowed to harass, humiliate or intimidate our people. The principle of reciprocity must be applied in our dealings with other nations and their people”, the Senator warned.
Senator Uba Sani however commended Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan for condemning in strong terms the xenophobic attacks, while lauding President Muhammadu Buhari “for despatching a special envoy to the South African President and directing the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister to summon the South African Ambassador to Nigeria”.
He however, urged Nigerian youth to remain calm and not get involved in any retaliatory move, noting that President Buhari and the Nigerian government have taken steps to address the issue to everybody’s satisfaction.
