If senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has his way, he would, straightaway, revoke the MTN Nigeria and DStv licenses.
This he would do, as part of sweeping economic policy changes in reaction to the ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerian businesses operating in South Africa.
Oshiomhole made the reiterations while contributing to plenary today, asking for the spots to be so created to be filled immediately by Nigerian operators.
According to Oshiomhole, the issue in South Africa had gone beyond just move in diplomatic circles, or weeping helplessly, but needing of a decisive response on the side of the President Bola Tinubu government.
“I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears.”
“This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day. That Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its license.
“I call on the Federal Government to revoke DSTV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars.
“If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle.
“These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn.
“When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he said.
As a matter of fact, he held, the xenophobic attacks against Nigeria he said, has continued, because Nigerian authorities had not decisively retaliated.
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According to him, decisive economic retaliation would demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to defend its citizens and interests.
Oshiomhole linked the resurgence of xenophobic violence to domestic political tensions in South Africa, believing that decisive action including revocation of MTN and DStv licenses amongst others would make South Africa to sit up.
Our correspondent reports that Oshiomhole’s reaction is coming on the heels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that South Africa resident Nigerians interested in coming home would be responsible for the cost of their trips.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
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