Xenophobia: South Africa is now the grave yard of Nigerians — T.A Orji

Ex-Abia State Governor and the current Senator representing Abia central in the upper legislative chamber of the Nigeria National Assembly, Chief Theordore Orji, has condemned the killing of Nigerians resident in South Africa.

Orji, who wondered why South African citizens were resorting to murder and looting of Nigerian properties, recalled the immense role Nigeria played to ensure the emancipation of South Africa’s Blacks from the supremacist overlords of South African regime of P.W Botha and his predecessors who jailed Mandela for 27 years.

The Senator made his position known in a statement issued to newsmen by his senior legislative Aide, Eddie Onuzuruike and obtained by DAILY POST Thursday evening.

He said, “The heightened xenophobic attacks and resultant killings in South Africa, a country that had in the past enjoyed Nigerian largess, hospitality and big-brother status is highly appalling, grossly unacceptable and violates the Rule of Law, an international code and convention.

“It is on record that Nigeria paid a huge price for the emancipation of South Africa’s Blacks from the supremacist overlords of South African regime of P.W Botha and his predecessors who jailed Mandela for 27 years and other harsh penalties for his fellow freedom fighters.

“At a point, South Africa was Nigeria’s trading partner in oil but Nigeria cut off supplies as a sanction against its oppressive policies. Apart from protesting the Sharpeville shootings of the 60s, Nigeria later made Africa the centerpiece of her foreign policy and supported peacekeeping forces in Liberia, Mozambique, Angola and other African countries. The freedom fighters of many of these countries all had political asylum in Nigeria including cash and other logistics supports. Why should the blacks of South Africa turn around to viciously bite the finger that fed them, more so under the watch of a former freedom fighter thus making South Africa the grave yard of Nigerians?

“No matter the degree of provocation, any civil society worth it salts should not at peace time turn to lynching, heinous murder and incineration of fellow humans who have right to live while destroying their properties. The Nigerian government should be up to its diplomatic best to resolve this issue to forestall reprisals.

“South African Blacks hugely owe her freedom to Nigeria and Nigerians. They should think back”.