Akpabio Decides Fate Of Oshiomhole’s Call To Suspend MTN, DStv Licences

According to Ireporter Online, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has ruled out any form of economic retaliation against South Africa following renewed calls to respond to persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in the country.

Akpabio made the position known while reacting to a proposal by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who had suggested that Nigeria should consider invoking operational restrictions on South African companies, including MTN and DSTV, as a form of countermeasure.

The Senate President, however, maintained that such retaliatory steps would not serve the national interest, stressing that Nigeria would instead pursue diplomatic engagement as the most appropriate path to resolving the tensions between both nations. He noted that while the reported attacks are deeply concerning and require urgent attention, economic actions targeting businesses would not be the preferred response.

He further assured that the Senate takes the issue seriously and is committed to addressing it decisively. In response, the upper chamber resolved to set up a joint ad hoc committee comprising members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to investigate the recurring xenophobic attacks and engage relevant South African authorities.

The committee, expected to be led by the leadership of the National Assembly, will embark on a fact-finding and diplomatic mission to South Africa. It is also mandated to interface with the South African Parliament to formally communicate Nigeria’s concerns and seek lasting solutions to the crisis.

As part of the broader diplomatic effort, the Senate agreed to write to the Speaker of the South African Parliament and also invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief lawmakers on the progress and outcomes of ongoing engagements.

Additionally, the Senate endorsed a motion by Senator Simon Lalong calling for a review of resolutions reached during a 2019 bilateral meeting between Nigeria and South Africa, with a view to ensuring full implementation of agreed measures aimed at preventing future occurrences.