Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to revoke the operating licences of South African firms MTN and DSTV, following fresh xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.
The Edo North lawmaker made the demand during Tuesday’s Senate plenary, as the House of Representatives separately condemned the violence and urged Abuja to take immediate diplomatic steps to protect Nigerians abroad.
Addressing the chamber, Oshiomhole said Nigeria should respond with "reciprocity" rather than sympathy.
"I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears.
"If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle," he said.
He argued that nationalising MTN and withdrawing its licence would curb capital outflows and open space for local telecoms firms.
"This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day. That Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence," Oshiomhole told lawmakers.
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The senator levelled similar criticism at DSTV, accusing the pay-TV operator of "unfair practices and economic exploitation" and calling for Nigerians to take over roles currently held by foreign companies.
"I call on the Federal Government to revoke DSTV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars," he said.
Oshiomhole connected the violence to domestic politics in South Africa, where he said anti-immigrant rhetoric had shaped public attitudes towards foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
He maintained that Nigerians in South Africa were "not there on holiday" but "there to work and to earn," adding that "When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated."
Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central backed the call for tougher action, describing the safety situation as "alarming."
"They are hiding for their lives, they can’t move freely. This is a situation where people are paying good with evil," he said, citing Nigeria’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle.
Umeh urged the African Union (AU) to intervene and consider sanctions.
"The AU, of which South Africa is a member, should rise now and impose necessary sanctions. We cannot allow this to continue," he said.
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