Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its delayed and inadequate response to the latest wave of xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
Atiku described the inactions of President Tinubu on the matter as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” for a nation that positions itself as Africa’s leader.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku said Nigeria’s hesitant approach contrasted poorly with the swift actions taken by smaller African nations to safeguard their citizens.
The former vice president highlighted Ghana’s decisive move to approve the immediate evacuation of over 300 of its distressed nationals as an example of the urgency and leadership lacking in Abuja.
“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 instead of leading in a moment of continental crisis,” the statement read.
Atiku noted that while other countries issued strong travel advisories and activated protective measures as soon as threats emerged, Nigeria appeared slow to act despite its citizens having historically suffered the most from xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“Yes, the government has now spoken. Yes, repatriation talks have been mentioned. But the critical question remains: why did it take external pressure and the decisive action of others before Nigeria found its voice?” he asked.
He also emphasised that the issue transcends the eventual response, focusing instead on the lack of proactive leadership.
“This is not about whether the government eventually responded. It is about whether that response reflected the urgency, seriousness, and leadership expected of a responsible government. By every objective standard, it did not.”
Atiku pointed to a recurring pattern of Nigerian businesses being destroyed, lives endangered, and families living in fear in South Africa, only for Nigerian authorities to respond with diplomatic summons, cautious statements, and bureaucratic delays until the next crisis.
“A government’s first obligation is the protection of its citizens—wherever they may be.
“A government that waits until other nations have taken the lead before acting sends a dangerous signal: that the lives of its citizens are negotiable.”
He described it as “frankly humiliating” that Ghana, with significantly fewer diplomatic resources and citizens in South Africa, demonstrated stronger leadership and compassion than Nigeria in the crisis.
The former vice president called on the Federal Government to move beyond “half-measures” by immediately issuing a robust travel advisory, activating efficient evacuation plans for willing citizens, intensifying diplomatic pressure on South African authorities, and pushing the African Union for a sustainable continental framework to address recurring xenophobic violence.
“Africa cannot continue to preach unity while tolerating periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer,” Atiku added.
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shed its “habitual slow-footedness” and display the competence and urgency expected by Nigerians, particularly when national dignity and citizens’ lives are at stake.
