Abuja: The presidential aspirant of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 general elections, Dr Yakubu Kingsley, has called for stronger diplomatic action against attacks on Nigerians abroad, especially in South Africa.
Kingsley, in a statement he personally signed on Monday and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said enough is enough of the persecution of Nigerians and other African foreign nationals abroad.
He expressed profound concern over the persistent and escalating attacks against Nigerian citizens and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
He equally condemned the growing trend of anti-foreigner sentiments, discrimination, intimidation, extortion and unlawful persecution being experienced by Nigerians in different
parts of the world.
“Recent developments in South Africa, including reports of criminal gangs and self-appointed groups issuing ultimatums demanding that Nigerians and other foreign nationals vacate communities without any lawful authority, represent a dangerous escalation that threatens not only the safety of innocent people but also the principles upon which modern democratic societies are built.”
Kingsley, who is currently challenging the May 25 primary election of the party that produced former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Donald Duke, as PRP’s presidential candidate, condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
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 the framework of the law.
He said such actions amount to criminal vigilantism and must be treated as such 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.
“Families have been displaced, livelihoods destroyed and, in many tragic cases, innocent lives have been lost.
“These unfortunate incidents have continued to cast a dark shadow over
the historic relationship between
Nigeria and South Africa—two nations whose peoples stood together during the difficult years of the struggle against apartheid and racial oppression.
“It is therefore deeply troubling that Africans, who once fought together for freedom, are today witnessing increasing hostility against fellow Africans whose only offence is pursuing lawful means of livelihood,” he said.
He said beyond South Africa, similar patterns of ill treatments had affected Nigerians in several countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
“While every sovereign nation reserves the constitutional right to regulate immigration, protect its borders and enforce its domestic laws, 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.
“Criminality has no nationality. It is therefore fundamentally wrong and morally unacceptable to criminalise an entire nationality because of the unlawful conduct of a few individuals.
“Collective punishment has no place in any civilized society.
“Indeed, it is acknowledged that there are isolated instances where one or two Nigerian citizens abroad have unfortunately engaged in activities that fall below acceptable legal and moral standards.
“Those individuals, where found culpable, our Embassies should follow up to ensure they are investigated and treated strictly in accordance with the laws of their host countries,” he said.
Kingsley, however, said that innocent Nigerians must 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 added.
