Citing Ghana Example, Atiku Faults Tinubu’s Response To South Africa Xenophobic Crisis

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the response of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the renewed anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa, describing it as slow, underwhelming, and embarrassing.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said it was unacceptable that Nigeria had to be pressured into action while smaller African countries acted swiftly to protect their citizens.

According to him, the Government of Ghana demonstrated urgency and leadership by approving the immediate evacuation of more than 300 distressed citizens following the latest wave of xenophobic threats, while Nigeria appeared hesitant and reactive despite its status as Africa’s most populous nation.

“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria, a country that prides itself as the leader of the Black world and the giant of Africa, once again found itself reacting instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” he stated.

Atiku said while the Nigerian government had now spoken on the issue and mentioned repatriation talks, the major concern remained why it took external pressure and actions by other countries before Nigeria responded.

“This is not about whether the government eventually responded. It is about whether that response reflected the urgency, seriousness, and leadership expected of a responsible government. By every objective standard, it did not,” he said.

The former vice president noted that Nigerians living in South Africa had for years endured repeated cycles of intimidation, harassment, looting, and xenophobic attacks, with businesses destroyed and lives endangered.

He accused successive Nigerian governments of repeatedly responding with what he described as cautious statements and bureaucratic delays whenever such crises occur.

“A government’s first obligation is the protection of its citizens wherever they may be. A government that waits until other nations have taken the lead before acting sends a dangerous signal that the lives of its citizens are negotiable,” he added.

Atiku further described it as humiliating that Ghana, despite having fewer diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, projected stronger leadership and compassion than Nigeria during the crisis.

He called on the Federal Government to go beyond what he termed half-measures by issuing a strong travel advisory, activating efficient evacuation arrangements for willing Nigerians, intensifying diplomatic engagement with South African authorities, and pushing for a continental framework against xenophobic violence through the African Union (AU).

“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer,” he said.

Atiku also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abandon what he described as habitual slow-footedness and demonstrate greater urgency and competence in situations involving the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad.