…..seeks stronger diplomatic action

Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley has condemned the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa, calling on the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect citizens abroad and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

Kingsley, in a statement in Abuja on Monday said the recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African foreign nationals had become unacceptable, stressing that the time had come for decisive action by both the Nigerian and South African governments.

He expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing wave of anti-foreigner sentiments, discrimination, intimidation, extortion and unlawful persecution targeting Nigerians in different parts of the world, particularly in South Africa.

The PRP presidential hopeful said recent reports indicating that criminal gangs and self-appointed groups had issued ultimatums directing Nigerians and other foreign nationals to vacate some South African communities represented a dangerous development capable of undermining regional peace and the rule of law.

According to him, no individual or group has the legal or moral authority to determine who has the right to reside in a country outside established legal procedures, insisting that such actions amount to criminal vigilantism and should be treated accordingly by the appropriate authorities.

“For several years, Nigerians living and working legitimately in South Africa have repeatedly become victims of xenophobic attacks, unlawful killings, destruction of businesses, looting of investments, arbitrary confiscation of properties, intimidation, physical assaults and other forms of violence,” he said.

He lamented that many Nigerian families had been displaced, businesses destroyed and innocent lives lost as a result of repeated attacks, noting that the incidents continued to cast a shadow over the historic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.

Kingsley recalled that both countries shared a common history during the struggle against apartheid and racial oppression, adding that it was unfortunate that Africans who once fought side by side for freedom were now witnessing increasing hostility against fellow Africans pursuing lawful means of livelihood.

He also noted that beyond South Africa, Nigerians had continued to experience discrimination, unlawful detention, racial profiling, exploitative treatment and immigration-related abuses in several countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

While acknowledging that every sovereign nation has the constitutional right to regulate immigration, protect its borders and enforce domestic laws, Kingsley argued that such responsibilities must always be exercised within the confines of the rule of law, due process, respect for human dignity and internationally accepted human rights standards.

He maintained that criminality has no nationality and warned against criminalising an entire nationality because of the actions of a few individuals.

According to him, collective punishment has no place in any civilised society.
Kingsley admitted that there had been isolated cases involving Nigerians accused of criminal activities abroad but stressed that such individuals should be investigated and prosecuted strictly in accordance with the laws of their host countries.

He, however, insisted that innocent Nigerians should never become victims of mob justice, racial profiling, ethnic stereotyping or indiscriminate persecution simply because they share the same nationality as offenders.
“Every Nigerian deserves the protection of the law. Every Nigerian deserves fair hearing. Every Nigerian deserves respect for his or her fundamental human rights. No Nigerian should be attacked, tortured, dispossessed of property, intimidated or killed without lawful judicial process,” he stated.

The presidential hopeful further argued that a nation that fails to protect its citizens beyond its borders weakens both its international credibility and the confidence of its people.

He said the dignity of every Nigerian citizen remained inseparable from the dignity of the Nigerian state, stressing that government must demonstrate greater commitment to defending Nigerians wherever they reside.

Kingsley therefore called on the Federal Government to engage the South African Government through sustained diplomatic channels to ensure that those responsible for xenophobic attacks were investigated, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.

He also urged the South African authorities to ensure that criminal gangs, vigilante groups and self-appointed organisations were not allowed to usurp the authority of the state or threaten innocent foreign nationals.

The PRP aspirant further appealed to the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations (UN) and the wider international community to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at preventing xenophobic violence and promoting peaceful coexistence across the continent.

Kingsley said his “Nigeria First Agenda” places the welfare, protection and global respect of Nigerians at the centre of its foreign policy priorities.

According to him, a YMK administration would implement comprehensive reforms to guarantee stronger diplomatic protection for Nigerians living, studying, working and investing abroad through a proactive, citizen-focused foreign policy.

He maintained that Africa’s future could not be built on hatred, discrimination or intimidation, insisting that every law-abiding African should be free to live, work, invest and contribute to development anywhere on the continent without fear of persecution because of nationality.

“Enough of the killings. Enough of the intimidation. Enough of the confiscation of properties. Enough of the hate. Enough of the xenophobia. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve respect,” he declared.