Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has issued a withering public rebuke to President Bola Tinubu, demanding that he immediately cut short his foreign trips and return to Nigeria to address the escalating attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. In a statement posted on her official X.com account on Monday, Ezekwesili condemned the President's decision to proceed with a three-nation visit to France, Kenya, and Rwanda amid reports of killings and violent xenophobia against Nigerian citizens, describing the situation as a total absence of leadership.
“Mr President Tinubu, it is a total absence of leadership to set out on a three-nation junket to France, Kenya, and Rwanda while the bodies of our citizens lay slain in South Africa while the rest hide from a raging mob,” she wrote. Ezekwesili argued that Nigeria’s response to the crisis has been insufficient, relying on routine diplomatic engagements such as summoning envoys and issuing advisories while Nigerians are harassed, looted, and killed. She said the repeated nature of the attacks has confirmed that the Nigerian state does not value the lives of its citizens, whether at home or abroad.
The former minister called on the Federal Government to immediately demand a full, published account from South African authorities covering all reported attacks, injuries, deaths, destroyed businesses, arrests, prosecutions, and compensation claims involving Nigerians. She also urged President Tinubu to push for a “time-bound justice framework” that would ensure investigation, prosecution, restitution, and transparent public reporting. “Anything less rewards the impunity with which killer mobs are injuring and killing our citizens,” she warned. Invoking Nigeria’s historic role in the anti-apartheid struggle, Ezekwesili reminded both countries of the sacrifices ordinary Nigerians made through the Southern Africa Relief Fund to support the African National Congress. “That history cannot be erased. But today, it is being dishonoured with the slain bodies of our citizens,” she stated.
Deadly Tensions and Government Response
The attacks on Nigerians in South Africa have unfolded over several weeks, with two citizens confirmed dead in separate incidents involving security personnel. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, whereas the anti-foreigner protests held between April 27 and 29 were largely peaceful, two Nigerians have died in separate incidents linked to interactions with South African security forces. Amamiro Chidiebere Emmanuel reportedly died from injuries sustained after being beaten by soldiers of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth, while Nnaemeka Matthew Andrew’s body was discovered at a mortuary following an encounter with Tshwane Metro Police. The minister described both incidents as “utterly condemnable.”
President Tinubu has expressed grave concern over the situation, directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely monitor events and strengthen diplomatic engagement with Pretoria. The Federal Government has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner for a meeting in Abuja to formally convey Nigeria’s concerns. Meanwhile, Nigerian missions in South Africa have issued security advisories warning citizens to avoid confrontation amid planned nationwide protests scheduled for May 4 to 8. The Consulate General in Johannesburg has advised Nigerian business owners to consider temporarily closing their shops, as foreign-owned establishments are expected to be soft targets. In Johannesburg, demonstrators are expected to gather at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Monday.
Amid the rising tensions, the Federal Government has confirmed that at least 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa. Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the evacuation plan follows a directive from President Tinubu and that the number of applicants is expected to rise.
As the crisis continues to unfold, Ezekwesili’s demand for immediate presidential action has sparked a national debate over the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens abroad. The President’s office had not issued a formal response to her criticism at the time of this report.
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