Vice-President Kashim Shettima has warned that the Nigerian government and its citizens will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of Nigerians by any foreign government.
Shettima also reaffirmed Nigeria’s opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The Vice-President spoke to journalists on Monday shortly before leaving Luanda, Angola, for Nigeria after attending the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the summit, condemned the attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and stressed that Nigeria would not accept any form of mistreatment of its citizens.
He said Nigeria remained committed to resolving concerns with South Africa through dialogue and peaceful engagement but would continue to make its position clear whenever the dignity and safety of Nigerians are threatened.
“Those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should learn to be humble. We were part of the struggle for the liberation of our brothers and sisters in southern Africa, and we feel personally pained that our people have been picked up for humiliation,” the Vice-President said.
He added: “The government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into very, very unacceptable situations.
“But we believe in having very robust conversations with our South African brothers. We don’t want to overheat the polity, but once in a while you have to make it very clear, vehemently clear, that certain situations are unacceptable, and we’ll work things out.”
VP Shettima, while condemning the xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, urged South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity in the enforcement of the country’s immigration policies.
Recall that the Nigerian government had reported South Africa to the AU over xenophobic and afrophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa.
