Gbajabiamila: We’re Capable of Retaliation against Xenophobic Attacks, But We’ll Explore Legislative Diplomacy

Puts estimated losses in S’Africa at N84m

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said while Nigeria is capable of retaliation over the continuous xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, it chooses to tow the path of engagement, including legislative diplomacy.

This is as he noted that although there has been no record of the loss of Nigerian citizens in the latest round of attacks, there have been reported injuries and destruction of properties, estimated to be N84 million.

Gbajabiamila, who is leading the delegation of the House to South Africa, disclosed that the six man team would meet with the South African Parliament to discuss the possibility of both our countries enacting hate crime laws, including crimes committed based on nationality.

At a press conference yesterday, the majority leader said the country cannot shirk its responsibilities to its citizens on grounds of recession.

Fielding questions regarding the alleged tacit complicity of South African authorities in the attacks, Gbajabiamila said retaliation is not off the table but should be a last resort.

“Our country is afraid of no one, but when you say are big brother, retaliation is not the first step to diplomacy. Cutting of ties and retaliation are always the last resort, it will always be on the table but it will be last resort,” he said.

The leader recalled that the federal government recently slammed telecommunications giant, MTN with a hefty fine for failing to adhere to regulations.

“ManyarguesthattheN3.4billionfine could cripple MTN, but they broke the law,” he said.

Similarly,theChairmanoftheCommittee onForeignAffairs,Hon.NnennaElendu Ukeje,saidthedelegationwouldremind theSouthAfricanparliamentandauthorities that silence translates to complicity.

“Now in the event that fails, we shall be reminding them that retaliation is only to the mutual detriment to both countries. And we will be reminding them of their businesses in Nigeria,” she said.

Ukeje added that both parliaments would be expected to engage on areas of mutual benefit and how much both countries could lose from xenophobia and possible retaliatory actions or severing of diplomatic ties.

The delegation, would be away for five day. Its mandate include seeking to strengthen the Nigerian / South African Bilateral Commission which only exists on paper, meeting with Nigerians resident in South Africa to assure them of government intervention, and working to secure a commitment for compensation for victims of the recent attacks.