Nigerians’ Lives More Important Than Foreign Investments – Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended his call for the nationalisation of South African-owned businesses in Nigeria, insisting that the lives of Nigerians must take priority over foreign investments.

In an interview on Arise News, the former Edo State governor said his position was informed by recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the Senate, specifically argued that telecommunications giant MTN and other South African-linked companies should be fully taken over by Nigerians to prevent continued repatriation of profits to South Africa.

“I am aware that MTN is quoted on the stock exchange and Nigerian shareholders can hold on, but we should take away South African control. We should nationalise and then reprivatise it so Nigerians can take it over, and the profits being taken out of Nigeria will remain here,” he stated.

The senator maintained that no foreign investment should be placed above the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens.

“You place more weight on wealth than on the lives of human beings.

If anything leads to the death of Nigerians, what is the value of wealth to the dead?” he queried during the interview.

Oshiomhole argued that repeated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa had not resulted in meaningful punishment for the perpetrators despite diplomatic engagements and bilateral agreements between both countries.

He also accused South African political leaders of failing to take decisive action until economic interests were threatened.

According to him, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa only publicly condemned xenophobic attacks after concerns were raised over the economic interests of South African businesses operating in Nigeria.

“I said when you hit Ramaphosa as president and touch his economic interests in Nigeria, he will speak out. After I spoke on the floor of the Senate, he came out clearly to condemn the attacks on black people,” Oshiomhole said.

The lawmaker further stressed that Nigeria must prioritise the protection of its citizens above the pursuit of foreign direct investment.

“We don’t want investors who invest at the expense of human blood. Life is more important than investment,” he added.

During the interview, Oshiomhole also dismissed allegations that the Electoral Act had been secretly altered, challenging critics to provide evidence from the law itself rather than relying on speculation.

Reacting to claims by some political figures regarding alleged amendments to the Electoral Act, the senator said such allegations were unsubstantiated.

“Read the section of the Electoral Act that says all those things you read out. Those are speculations and untruths,” he stated.