Senate has rejected a proposal urging the Federal Government to nationalise South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria and use the proceeds to compensate victims of recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that the proposal was raised during plenary but was ruled outside the scope of the motion before the upper legislative chamber.
The motion on the renewed attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa was sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South). During the debate, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (Lagos Central) proposed that South African companies operating in Nigeria be taken over as a response to the continued attacks and destruction of Nigerians’ lives and property in the country.
However, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, rejected the proposal, saying it was beyond the prayers contained in the motion. He directed the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to review the issues raised and report back to the Senate within two weeks. The chamber subsequently adopted the original resolutions without including the recommendation to nationalise South African businesses.
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi called on the Federal Government to consider severing diplomatic ties with South Africa if the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians continue.
The Senate condemned the attacks and urged the Federal Government to take appropriate diplomatic steps to protect the lives and interests of Nigerians living in South Africa.
