Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Tinubu’s Response to Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the response of the federal government of Nigeria to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Atiku said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is always slow in responding to issues affecting its citizens including the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

“Nigeria likes to pride itself as the giant of Africa but other countries are always quick to take decisive action on matters, while Nigeria always reacts instead of leading in moments of continental crisis,” Atiku said.

“Unlike smaller countries like Ghana that have acted decisively to protect their citizens by evacuating over 300 distressed citizens in the wake of the latest xenophobic threats, Abuja appeared paralysed, reactive and robbed of the sense of urgency the moment demanded,” Mr. Agbaje said.

“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 rather than leading at a time of continental crisis.

When the first signs of danger appeared, smaller African nations acted with clarity, compassion and urgency. Ghana acted decisively. Others issued dire warnings and activated protective mechanisms for their citizens. But Nigeria, whose citizens have over the years borne the brunt of xenophobic violence in South Africa, responded with the lethargy that has become the defining trademark of this administration,” he said.

Too Slow, Inefficient
Atiku further said the response of the Nigerian government to the xenophobic attack is belated and short of expectations.

He said Nigerians residing in South Africa have been subjected to cycles of intimidation, looting, harassment and xenophobic hostility which has destroyed businesses, endangered lives and left families living in fear.

Nigeria does little more than “Summon diplomats, make cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts,” says the 2027 presidential aspirant.

“This isn’t about whether the government eventually responded,” he added. It is about whether that response was what one would expect of a responsible government in terms of urgency, seriousness and leadership. By any objective measure it did not”

“When a government waits for others to pioneer the way before it leads, it sends a dangerous signal. It’s frankly embarrassing that Ghana, with much fewer diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, exuded better leadership and more clear compassion in this moment than Nigeria.

Path Ahead
He called on the Nigerian government to act decisively by issuing a clear and strong travel advisory; setting effective evacuation plans for its citizens who wish to do so; stepping up diplomatic engagement with South African authorities; and mobilising the African Union to establish a sustainable continental framework to deal with recurring xenophobic violence.

He specifically called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shed its habitual slowness and meet the challenges of a moment when both lives and national dignity were at stake.

“Africa cannot continue to preach unity and allow periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while acting like a reluctant observer,” Atiku said.