Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has decried the sluggish response of the President Bola Tinubu administration to the renewed wave of attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, saying it was embarrassing that Nigeria had to be pressured into action despite smaller African countries moving swiftly to protect their citizens.
Making a comparison between Ghana’s response and that of Nigeria, he pointed out that Accra had approved the immediate evacuation of over 300 distressed citizens following the latest xenophobic threats at a time Abuja appeared paralysed, reactive, and stripped of the urgency the moment demanded.
The former Vice President intervened through a statement issued by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, stressing that Nigeria’s hesitancy while smaller countries acted decisively had exposed the hollowness of the country’s claim to being the leader of Africa.
He said, “It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the leader of the Black world and the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis.
“When the first signs of danger emerged, smaller African nations acted with clarity, compassion and urgency. Ghana moved decisively following the approval for the evacuation of over 300 citizens. Others issued strong advisories and activated protective mechanisms for their nationals.
“But Nigeria, whose citizens have historically borne the brunt of xenophobic violence in South Africa, moved with the lethargy that has become the defining trademark of this administration.”
Atiku said that though the Tinubu government had eventually reacted and mentioned repatriation efforts, the delay raised concerns about its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
“Yes, the government has now spoken. Yes, repatriation talks have been mentioned. However, the critical question remains: why did it take external pressure and the decisive action of others for Nigeria to find its voice?
“This is not about whether the government eventually responded. It is about whether that response reflected the urgency, seriousness and leadership expected of a responsible government. By every objective standard, it did not,” he added.
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) observed that Nigerians in South Africa had for years faced intimidation, harassment, looting and xenophobic attacks, with businesses destroyed and lives endangered.
“For years, Nigerians in South Africa have endured recurring cycles of intimidation, harassment, looting and xenophobic hostility. Businesses have been destroyed. Lives have been endangered.
“Families have lived in fear. Yet successive Nigerian responses have followed the same tired script—summon diplomats, issue cautious statements and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts,” he stated.
Atiku pointed out that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of its citizens regardless of where they reside
He urged the federal government to issue a stronger travel advisory, commence evacuation plans for willing Nigerians, intensify diplomatic engagement with South African authorities and work with the African Union to address recurring xenophobic violence on the continent.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer,” he said.
The former Vice President went on to urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abandon what he described as its habitual slow-footedness and act with greater urgency whenever the lives and dignity of Nigerians are threatened abroad.
