The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as provocative and completely unacceptable the xenophobic attack on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Saturday said the attacks were “outrightly barbaric, primitive and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.”
The party said it was “unfortunate and disheartening that South Africans by this attitude have shown that they are not appreciative of the roles played by Nigeria and other African countries in liberating their nation from the clutches of the obnoxious apartheid system.
“Whilst we are aware that this unfortunate incident is a fallout of incendiary utterances by certain leaders in South Africa, we call on the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and South African government to take urgent practical steps to stem the tide and guarantee the safety of lives and property of Nigerians and other nationals targeted by the xenophobes.
“All well-meaning world leaders especially Africans should stand up and condemn this dangerous trend, which is a clear threat to the much desired unity, cooperativeness and development in the continent.
“We recall that this disgraceful act had taken place in recent time in the same country. As such, we charge South African leaders to do everything humanly possible to halt this wickedness and forestall a repeat in the future.
“Africans and indeed all citizens of the world must be allowed to visit, live or work in any part of the continent without fear of attack as long as they meet local statutory requirements of the country of their sojourn”, the party said.
While urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa, the PDP also called for calm and restraint at home even in the face of an obvious provocation that is capable of sparking off a reprisal.
It said the Federal Government should draw the attention of South Africa to the danger the actions of its citizens portend given the fact that the world has become a global village where political and economic interests have become universal.
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