Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the immediate revocation of operating licences of South African companies in Nigeria, including MTN Group and DStv, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The call comes amid growing outrage in the National Assembly, as the House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the latest wave of attacks and urged the Federal Government to take swift diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.
Speaking during plenary, Oshiomhole insisted that Nigeria must respond decisively, stressing that international relations should be guided by reciprocity rather than sympathy.
“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,” he said.
“If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle.”
The former Edo State governor specifically proposed that MTN be nationalised and its licence withdrawn, arguing that the telecommunications giant repatriates substantial profits out of Nigeria while Nigerians face hostility in South Africa.
“This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is carting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day, that Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence,” he stated.
Oshiomhole added that such a move would not only serve as a countermeasure to the attacks but also strengthen local participation in Nigeria’s economy.
He also extended the call to DStv, accusing the pay-TV provider of economic exploitation and urging the Federal Government to revoke its licence.
“I call on the Federal Government to revoke DStv, which is also a South African company that is carting away millions of dollars,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, Nigerians living in South Africa are not a burden on the host country but active contributors to its economy.
“These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn,” he added.
He further argued that a firm economic response by Nigeria would force a shift in diplomatic relations between both countries.
“When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” Oshiomhole said.
VANGUARD