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Revoke MTN licence over xenophobia – Oshiomhole tells FG to hit South Africa where it hurts
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has had enough. The Edo North lawmaker wants the Federal Government to stop issuing diplomatic statements and start hitting South Africa economically. His target is clear. MTN Nigeria and DStv should lose their operating licences.
The former Edo State governor raised the matter during Tuesday’s plenary session. His anger stems from renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa. He argued that Nigeria keeps talking while its citizens keep dying.
Oshiomhole did not hide his frustration. He told fellow senators they were not gathered to shed tears or offer sympathy to victims. The time for that is over. What is needed now is action based on reciprocity.
He put it bluntly. If you hit me, I hit you back. That is how diplomacy works when economic interests are at stake. He called on the Senate to adopt a firm position against South African businesses draining millions from Nigeria daily.
Revoke MTN licence over xenophobia and let Nigerians fill the gap – Oshiomhole insists
The senator singled out MTN and DStv as prime targets. Both are South African companies moving huge sums of money out of Nigeria. His proposal is simple. Nationalise MTN. Withdraw the licences. Let Nigerian investors step in and fill the space.
Oshiomhole made a point about Nigerians in South Africa. They are not there on vacation. They are working and earning their keep. They contribute to the economy. They are not dependents. Yet they face violence repeatedly.
He predicted that once Nigeria hits back economically, the South African president will come begging. The message would be received loud and clear. Nigerians cannot be intimidated without consequences.
The senator warned that continued tolerance sends a dangerous signal. Decisive economic retaliation would show Nigeria is capable of defending its people and its interests. He tied the resurgence of xenophobic violence to domestic political tensions inside South Africa. Anti-immigrant rhetoric is shaping public attitudes, and Nigerians are bearing the brunt.
The House of Representatives also condemned the latest attacks. Lawmakers stressed that the safety of Nigerians abroad must never be compromised. They urged the Federal Government to engage diplomatically and put protective measures in place.
Senator Victor Umeh added his voice to the debate. He described the situation as dire. Many Nigerians in South Africa now live in constant fear. They cannot move freely or go about their daily lives without looking over their shoulders.
Umeh called on the African Union to step in. Sanctions should be on the table if the attacks continue. He stressed that this pattern of violence can no longer be treated as a random occurrence. It is a crisis that demands a serious response.
