In a decisive move, the Nigeria House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to suspend all bilateral agreements with South Africa. This bold resolution follows a surge in xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians, pushing diplomatic relations to a breaking point.
In a high-stakes Tuesday plenary, the House of Representatives adopted a motion of urgent public importance regarding the xenophobic crisis. The resolution, championed by Donald Ojogo (Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Ondo State), signals a major shift in Nigeria’s diplomatic stance toward South Africa.
Since tensions began to boil over last month, no fewer than two Nigerians have been confirmed dead grim casualties of a rising tide of xenophobia. These fatalities have intensified the fear among the millions of Nigerians who call South Africa home.
However, as he opened the debate, Ojogo argued that the violence has reached an unprecedented breaking point, asserting that the selective targeting of Nigerians is a ‘recipe for diplomatic disaster’ if left unchecked.
“alarming rate”, adding that Nigerians are being “selectively targeted” in South Africa.
Providing a grim account to the House, Ojogo identified the victims as Ekpenyong Andrew and Amaramiro Emmanuel. Andrew’s body was recovered from a morgue shortly after an alleged altercation with police in Pretoria on April 19. Just twenty-four hours later, Emmanuel died from severe injuries reportedly sustained at the hands of the South African National Defence Force.
“Both incidents were shocking as they involved South African security personnel,” the lawmaker said.
Ojogo characterized these ‘targeted attacks’ as a profound ‘demonstration of ingratitude,’ especially given Nigeria’s pivotal role in the historic struggle against apartheid. He reminded the House that the very freedom South Africa enjoys today was paved, in part, by Nigerian solidarity.
“The trajectory in South Africa is a recipe for anger and reprisals in Nigeria, and there is a need to prevent such,” he said.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu noted that Nigeria occupies a “very significant position” in Africa and has historically 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.”
Upon a successful voice vote led by Kalu, the resolution was officially adopted. The House is now pressing the Federal Government to reconsider its diplomatic and economic ties with South Africa. These proposed sanctions include a temporary suspension of new business permits and a re-evaluation of tax breaks for South African firms, a stance that will remain until justice is served for Nigerian victims and the attacks are brought to a definitive end.
The House further directed its committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to liaise with the Nigerian High Commission to set up a round-the-clock emergency response desk. This initiative includes a legal aid fund specifically designed to provide immediate support and justice for Nigerians facing distress in South Africa.
“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 House subsequently urged the Executive to “review all bilateral agreements with South Africa, trade and aviation treaties, [and] targeted economic measures,” specifically suggesting a “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.”
In a parallel effort to safeguard citizens, the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora have been tasked with establishing a 24-hour emergency response desk and a legal aid fund in Pretoria to assist Nigerians currently in distress.
