Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called for the revocation of licences of South African companies like MTN and DStv in Nigeria in response to renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has urged the Federal Government to take sweeping economic action against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, the former Edo State governor called for a shift from diplomatic protests to economic retaliation, advocating the revocation of licences of companies such as MTN Nigeria and DStv.
“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,” Oshiomhole said. “If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle. This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day. That Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence. 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. He argued that Nigerians in South Africa are economically active and not dependent on the host country, adding, “These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn. When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated.”
Oshiomhole said continued tolerance of violence against Nigerians abroad sends the wrong signal and called for decisive action to demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to defend its citizens and interests. He linked the resurgence of xenophobic attacks to domestic political tensions in South Africa and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also condemned the attacks, urging the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic engagement and implement protective measures, while lawmaker Victor Umeh described the situation as dire, noting that many Nigerians in South Africa now live in constant fear and face restrictions on their movement.
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