Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that Nigeria will not resort to economic retaliation against South Africa despite continued xenophobic attacks on Nigerian citizens in the country.
Akpabio stated that diplomatic engagement remains the best approach in the interest of both nations, adding that revoking operational licences of South African businesses in Nigeria is not on the table.
The Senate President made the position known while responding to a proposal by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who suggested that licences of companies such as MTN and DSTV should be revoked in retaliation. Oshiomhole’s proposal was however declined on procedural grounds.
The Senate views the attacks as a serious matter and has resolved to set up a joint ad hoc committee of the Senate and House of Representatives to address the issue.
The committee, to be led by the Chairman of the National Assembly, will undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa.
As part of its mandate, the delegation will visit the South African Parliament to formally register Nigeria’s strong displeasure over the attacks.
The Senate also plans to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on the outcome of the engagements.
The upper chamber further upheld a resolution calling for the review and implementation of agreements reached during the 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Bassey on the intensifying xenophobic persecution of Nigerians in South Africa and Ghana.
During plenary, senators observed a minute of silence in honour of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the attacks.
The Senate expressed deep concern over the physical attacks, psychological trauma, and profiling of Nigerians based on their nationality.
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