Xenophobic attacks: Nigeria should go beyond diplomatic rhetorics, says Abaribe

Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has urged the Federal
Government to go beyond diplomatic rhetorics and compel the South
African government to immediately stop the attacks and killing of
Nigerians living in that country.

In a statement released in Abuja, Tuesday, Abaribe described the
unwarranted attacks killings of Nigerians by South Africans as
barbaric the declaring that the seeming cold approach of the South
African government to the vexed issue, cast it as being
complicit.

“That being the case, our government must go beyond diplomatic
niceties and ensure the protection of our people living in that
country henceforth. The Presidency, must stamp its feet on the
ground and call that government to order.

“We have an emergency, this is not the time to play ‘good guy’
international diplomacy.

The gory picture of our people being slaughtered on the streets
of South Africa in recent times lowers our collective spirit, even
as it tends to diminish Nigeria’s prestige in the committee of
nations.

The presidency must stop the dripping,” Abaribe said.

The lawmaker added that it’s inconceivable that South Africans
will go this deplorable route against Nigerians, who committed huge
human and material resources during their very dark hours in the
ignoble days of apartheid in that country.

“It is very unfortunate, inhumane and runs against the grains of
our African brotherhood”, he added.

The Minority leader however acknowledged efforts by the Federal
Government to build international consensus on the matter, but
advised that the government should do more considering the rising
frustration among Nigerians.

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