Tension, anger builds across Nigeria over xenophobic attacks
As tension and anger builds across Nigeria over the continuing spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a member of the Federal House of representatives, Honourable Kingsley Chinda has urged the NASS leadership to urgently reconvene plenary.
Chinda, whorepresents the Obio-Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State made the call in a statement that was made available to The Difference, Tuesday.
‘I call on the leadership of NASS to reconvene the Assembly immediately. Our citizens are killed and our nationhood threatened by South Africans. We must take a clear position and urge the relevant agencies of govt to act. It is smacks of non-responsiveness and irresponsibility on the part of govt to stay hour and do nothing while defenceless Nigerians are gruesomely murdered in a foreign land without cause.
Both as a nation and as individual Nigerians, we made sacrifices for the independence of South Africa from minority white rule. Nigeria spent her money, boycotted international events, Nigerians carried the crusade against apartheid to all parts of the world at their own cost. We accommodated SA leaders. There is no justification for SA to show such unconscionable attitude and devilish ingratitude to Nigeria.
As parliamentarians, we will be failing in our duty if we do not act promptly. We must call off the recess now in the overriding public interest. It’s a matter of extreme urgent public importance that we reconvene the Assembly now,’ the statement read.
The xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa have been going on for years, with Nigerians increasingly being particularly targeted.
After widespread condemnation by Nigerians over its poor handling of the matter, the Nigerian government on Tuesday summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria for an explanation.
Beyond that, Nigerians have been urging a recall of the nation’s High Commissioner from South Africa and sanctions o South African businesses in the country.
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