The Senator representing Edo North,Adams Oshiomhole,has called for revocation of licenses of MTN and MultiChoice companies located in Nigeria, following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Kano—
The senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the revocation of licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The lawmaker made the call on Tuesday,during a plenary where the National Assembly condemned the recent wave of attacks, against Nigerians, calling on the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.
Addressing the lawmakers,Oshiomhole said Nigeria must respond firmly, invoking the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears” he said “If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy.it’s an economic struggle.”he added
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
The former Edo State governor further stated that Nigeria should nationalise MTN and withdraw its operating licence, arguing that the company repatriates significant revenue while Nigerians face hostility in South Africa.
“MTN, a South African company is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day.They should have Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence,” he said.
He also emphasized that the action will not only serve as a deterrent but also create opportunities for indigenous firms, amid what he described as economic and social targeting of Nigerians abroad.
He further extended the call to MultiChoice, urging the Federal Government to revoke its licence over alleged exploitative practices.
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
“I call on the Federal Government to revoke DSTV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars,” he said
Oshiomhole described the recurring tensions as domestic political dynamics in South Africa, related to anti-immigrant rhetoric which had become a feature of its politics and was shaping public attitudes toward foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
“When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he said.
NASS Calls For Action.
In a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso, read on the floor by Senator Aniekan Bassey under Senate rules on matters of urgent public importance.
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
Titled “A call for urgent national diplomatic and humanitarian action to defend the dignity, safety and honour of Nigerian citizens,” the motion highlighted growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa.
Also speaking during the plenary,Senator Victor Umeh described the situation as alarming, warning that Nigerians were living in fear.
“It is worrisome. They are hiding for their lives. They can’t move freely. This is a situation where people are paying good with evil,” he said, referencing Nigeria’s historical support for the anti-apartheid struggle” he stated
Umeh calls on the African Union to intervene and impose sanctions, warning that Nigeria could no longer tolerate attacks on its citizens.
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
“The AU, of which South Africa is a member, should rise now and impose necessary sanctions,” he said, adding that “we cannot allow this to continue.” he added
Oshiomhole, argue that Nigeria needs to move beyond rhetoric by retaliating economically.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to shed tears. I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.
He further argued that Nigerians should take advantage of opportunities in the local economy, currently dominated by foreign firms.
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
Senator Abdul Ningi warned South Africans over recent attacks on Nigerians, threatening that the country would take the fight to their territory.
“If a crime has been committed under the South African law, they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that” he said If these things continue, we have alternatives, we have options, and therefore, these words should be sent across South Africa. We know where South Africans are, not only in Nigeria but all over Africa, and we can take this fight to their territory,” he added
Speaking, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, decried the attack , adding that the National Assembly would send a joint team to meet with the South-African parliament on the matter.
“This is just not acceptable, this is barbaric, this is cruel, this is unheard of, this is strange behaviour, and we’re not seeing action from the government of South Africa. These are aspects that annoy me,” Akpabio said.
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
The development reveals mounting pressure on the Federal Government to take a decisive and tougher stance, as recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa continue to strain diplomatic relations and provoke calls for both economic countermeasures and stronger diplomatic interventions.
NIDCOM Calls On South Africa To Protect Foreigners Rights And Safety Nigerians.
Diaspora Commission has urged the South African government to take urgent steps to protect Nigerians and other black immigrants US Target Milltant renewed reports of xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said the situation in parts of South Africa was worsening, with incidents of intimidation, looting and targeted attacks recorded in recent days.
The chairman of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the rising tensions were instilling fear within affected communities.“While many expected a de-escalation of tensions following earlier engagements between both governments, the situation on the ground is deteriorating,” she said
Xenophobia: Revoke MTN, Multichoice Licenses-Oshiomhole
The agency rejected what it described as the profiling and generalisation of Nigerians, emphasizing that criminal acts should be addressed individually.
“Crime has no nationality. Any individual, regardless of origin, who commits an offence should be investigated and made to face the full penalty of South African law,” the statement said, warning that collective punishment and stereotyping were “dangerous and unacceptable
