The Senate has rejected a proposal by Wasiu Eshilokun, senator representing Lagos Central, urging the Federal Government to nationalise South African businesses operating in Nigeria and use the proceeds to compensate victims of xenophobic attacks.
Eshilokun made the suggestion on Tuesday during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River South, on recurring attacks and intimidation of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The lawmaker stressed that Nigeria must prioritise the protection of its citizens in its foreign policy.
“First and foremost, Nigeria and Nigerians should be the centrepiece of our foreign policy. Any harm to any Nigerian should be taken seriously,” he said.
He argued that South Africans engaging in xenophobic attacks appear to have forgotten Nigeria’s role in the struggle against apartheid.
“The South Africans who are engaged in these xenophobic attacks forget that without Nigeria, South Africa may not be what it is today. It is our contribution with others that freed them from apartheid,” he said.
Eshilokun also condemned the killing of Nigerians and destruction of their businesses.
“Having done a lot — killing our people and destroying their businesses, without prior notice, without any law, without any government — I guess that it is also going to be good if we put them on notice that all South African businesses in Nigeria may also suffer,” he said.
“We can also nationalise and use the proceeds to pay compensation to those who were displaced from South Africa.
“They have DStv, MTN that is making a lot of money. We can nationalise them and use the proceeds to pay those who were attacked or suffered losses from their country.
“We cannot fold our hands, because the safety of the lives of Nigerians, either home or abroad, is the first contract we have with our people.”
Eshilokun subsequently sought to have the proposal included in the Senate’s resolutions as an additional prayer.
However, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, declined the request, ruling that the proposal fell outside the scope of the motion.
Barau directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to review the matter and report back within two weeks.
The Senate thereafter adopted the original resolutions without incorporating the proposal to nationalise South African-owned businesses in Nigeria.
During the debate, Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, also urged the Federal Government to sever diplomatic relations with South Africa over the recurring attacks on Nigerians.
