The Senate has resolved to set up a joint ad-hoc committee of the National Assembly to address the rising cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The committee, to be led by the Chairman of the National Assembly, will embark on a fact-finding and diplomatic mission to South Africa with the aim of finding lasting solutions to the recurring crisis. As part of its mandate, the delegation will visit the South African Parliament to formally convey Nigeria’s strong displeasure over the attacks.
The upper chamber also plans to write a formal letter to the Speaker of the South African Parliament and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on the outcomes of the engagements.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate upheld a resolution moved by Senator Simon Lalong, called for a comprehensive review of the agreements reached during the 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa, with emphasis on full implementation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole had proposed the revocation of operational licenses of major South African businesses in Nigeria, such as MTN and DSTV, but the suggestion was ruled out on procedural grounds. Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the preference for diplomatic channels over economic retaliation, described the attacks as a serious matter that deserves urgent attention.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Bassey, titled: “Intensifying Xenophobic Persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana: A Call for Urgent National, Diplomatic and Humanitarian Action to Defend the Dignity, Safety and Honour of Nigerian Citizens.”
Lawmakers were briefly divided on whether the motion should be debated in open session or behind closed doors, after Senator Aliero suggested a closed-door discussion. Senator Ningi and others successfully pushed for open deliberations.
Senators expressed deep concern not only over physical attacks but also the growing atmosphere of fear, psychological trauma, and systematic profiling of Nigerians based solely on their nationality in both South Africa and Ghana.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
