South Africa Xenophobic Attack: Buhari Was Slow In Taking Decision – Dr Adamu
Founder of Deservation Organization, Dr. Sani Adamu, has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for being too slow in responding to the situation Nigerians have found themselves in South Africa.
Dr. Adamu, who is a recipient of the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) Young Democratic Icon Award, noted that reports have been rife for quite sometimes about the maltreatment of Nigerians in South African but the government of President Buhari refused to act quickly to address and ameliorate the situation.
He further said; “I must expressed my disenchantment with the way Buhari has handled this situation. If you recall, a Nigerian was murdered in her hotel suite about two months ago, another Nigerian, a taxi driver was killed too.
“All these and many more acts should have propelled Mr President to immediately take action, instead he was busy picking his teeth after meal and posting it on Facebook.
“I charge Mr President to act speedily and bring back Nigerians, who are stranded in that country instead of the loss of our beloved ones every day.”
He also called on the international community to condemn in strong terms the current attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa just as he wants South Africa sanctioned for embarking on such barbaric acts unabated.
Dr. Adamu, who stated these while chatting with journalists in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State shortly after he was conferred with the award, noted that the deliberate looting of shops belonging to foreigners and lynching of other nationals in South Africa is sad and condemnable.
He said; “Those South Africans, who are engaging in such heinous acts should know that they are not better than those they are calling criminals.
“The actions of these South Africans would only act as a catalyst of hatred against South Africans. It is therefore in this vein that I call on President Cyril Ramaposa of South Africa to intervene quickly to save the image of his country and to save the lives and properties of nationals from other African countries.”
Dr. Adamu made reference to how former President Goodluck Jonathan reacted quickly when South Africa deported 125 Nigerians for not having the yellow fever vaccination card, saying that the former President immediately deported about 80 South Africans, and the South African government quickly apologized.
He also recalled how late General Murtala Muhammad reacted in 1975 when Nigerians were murdered in Equatorial Guinea, adding that; “Murtala amassed troops in Calabar and declared his intention to invade Equatorial Guinea, but the government of that country quickly apologized. Since then, there have been no reported case of Nigerians being harassed in that country again.”
Speaking on the Supreme Court dismissal of the suit against President Buhari for forgery of West African Educational Certificate (WAEC), and for lying under oath, Dr Adamu expressed disappointment, saying, “I humbly disagree with the decision of the court. The President lied under oath, presented various certificates and lied that the Army was in custody of his certificate.
“All these showed that what the President did was illegal but the Supreme Court thought otherwise. What the learned judges are telling Nigerians is that children should not go to school anymore but provide the country with fake certificates.”
