Reps Ask FG Review All Bilateral Agreements Wih S/Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians
The house of representatives has asked the federal government to suspend all bilateral agreements with South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid country.
The green chamber passed the resolution during Tuesday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Donald Ojogo, lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency in Ondo state.
At least two Nigerians have been killed since anti-immigrant tensions escalated in South Africa last month.
Leading the debate on the motion, Ojogo said the xenophobic violence has reached an “alarming rate”, adding that Nigerians are being “selectively targeted” in South Africa.
The lawmaker said the two Nigerians killed in South Africa—identified as Ekpenyong Andrew and Amaramiro Emmanuel—died in separate incidents.
He said Andrew was arrested on April 19 in Pretoria following an alleged altercation with police officers, and his body was later found in a morgue, while Emmanuel died from injuries sustained after being beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force on April 20.
“Both incidents were shocking as they involved South African security personnel,” the lawmaker said.
He said the “targeted attacks” against Nigerian nationals are a “demonstration of ingratitude”, considering the roles Nigeria played in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
“The trajectory in South Africa is a recipe for anger and reprisals in Nigeria, and there is a need to prevent such,” he said.
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker who presided over plenary, said Nigeria occupy a “very significant position” in Africa and has supported “many nations to be stronger than they are today”.
“An attack on any Nigerian anywhere is an attack on Nigerians everywhere. It ought not to be so,” he said
“Nigerians did not allow the apartheid masters to suppress South Africans. South Africans who are liberated should not put other Africans in their territory in bondage. These are facts.”
The motion was adopted after Kalu called for a voice vote.
Following that, the house asked the federal government to “review all bilateral agreements with South Africa, trade and aviation treaties, targeted economic measures, including temporary suspension of issuance of business permits to new South African companies and a review of tax incentives enjoyed by existing South African firms in Nigeria”, pending demonstrable steps by the country to halt the attacks, prosecute perpetrators and compensate victims.
The house also mandated the committees on foreign affairs, diaspora and cooperation and integration in Africa to liaise with the Nigerian high commission in Pretoria to establish a 24-hour emergency response desk and legal aid fund for distressed Nigerians in South Africa.
The house further mandated the committee to work with the federal government to develop and publicise a comprehensive evacuation contingency plan for Nigerians in volatile provinces, including financial and logistical support for those willing to return home.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
