By Augustine Ehikioya
Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that Nigeria will no longer tolerate the dehumanisation or mistreatment of its citizens in South Africa.
Shettima made the declaration on Monday in Luanda, Angola, while speaking with journalists shortly before departing for Nigeria.
The Vice President represented President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), held in Angola on Saturday.
Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s strong opposition to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, stressing that the Federal Government would continue to speak out whenever the dignity and safety of Nigerians were threatened.
He, however, said Nigeria remained committed to addressing its concerns with South Africa through dialogue and peaceful engagement.
“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 government and people of Nigeria will no longer countenance a situation whereby our people are dehumanised and put into 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,” he said.
While condemning xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, Shettima urged the South African authorities to protect lives and uphold human dignity in enforcing the country’s immigration laws and policies.
