#EndXenophobia: Time to go beyond rhetoric, Abaribe tells Buhari

The minority leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to go beyond Diplomatic Rhetoric and compel the government of South Africa to immediately stop the attack and killing of Nigerians living in that country.

Abaribe in a statement released in Abuja and signed by his media aide, Uchenna Awom, described as barbaric the unwarranted attack and killing of innocent Nigerians. He accused the South African government of complicity.

He said: “That being the case, our government must go beyond Diplomatic niceties and ensure the protection of our people living in that country henceforth. The presidency, must stamp their feet on the ground and call that government to order.

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“We have an emergency, this is not the time to play ‘good guy’ international diplomacy. The gory picture of our people being slaughtered on the streets of South Africa in recent times lowers our collective spirit, even as it tends to diminish Nigeria’s prestige in the comity of nations.

“The presidency must stop the dripping.”

Senator Abaribe added that “it is inconceivable that South Africans will go this deplorable route against Nigerians, who committed huge human and material resources during their very dark hours in the ignoble days of apartheid.

“It is very unfortunate, inhumane and runs against the grains of our African brotherhood.”

The Senate Minority leader, however, acknowledged efforts of the Federal Government to build international consensus on the matter, but advised that the government should do more considering the rising frustration among Nigerians.