Godswill Akpabio Responds To Oshiomhole’s Push To Sanction MTN, DSTV Over Xenophobia Row

Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Senate President, has said that Nigeria will not resort to retaliatory economic measures against South Africa despite ongoing concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He made the position known while responding to a proposal by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who had suggested that Nigeria should consider targeting the operational licences of South African companies such as MTN and DSTV as a form of response.

Akpabio, however, ruled out such actions, stressing that diplomatic engagement remains the most appropriate approach for resolving the situation between both countries.

He maintained that while the Senate takes the reported attacks seriously, economic retaliation against businesses is not the preferred solution.

According to him, Nigeria’s priority is to address the issue through constructive diplomacy in the best interest of both nations.

Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to set up a joint ad hoc committee involving members of both the Senate and House of Representatives to address the rising cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The committee, to be led by the leadership of the National Assembly, is expected to embark on a fact-finding and diplomatic mission to South Africa to seek lasting solutions.

As part of its assignment, the delegation will engage the South African Parliament to formally register Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks.

The Senate also agreed to communicate with the Speaker of the South African Parliament and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on the outcome of diplomatic engagements.

In addition, lawmakers endorsed a motion by Senator Simon Lalong calling for a review of earlier bilateral agreements reached in 2019 between Nigeria and South Africa, with the aim of ensuring full implementation.