Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday engaged in a heated exchange with Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, during a live interview over his remarks on South African investments in Nigeria.
The clash occurred while the former Edo State governor was discussing the recurring killings and xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
Speaking during the interview, Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria should nationalise South African-owned businesses operating in the country as a response to the attacks on Nigerians abroad.
The senator said telecommunications giant MTN Group could remain under Nigerian ownership through local shareholders, while South African control should be removed.
“We should re-privatise it so Nigerians can take it over, and there would be no repatriation of funds to South Africa,” Oshiomhole said during the programme.
He further referred to campaign statements allegedly made by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he described as a major shareholder in MTN, claiming that foreigners had been accused of taking jobs meant for South Africans.
According to Oshiomhole, worsening unemployment in South Africa had contributed to hostility against other Africans, including Nigerians.
“Now South Africa has high unemployment, and some have transferred aggression against other Africans. Life is more important. Nigeria should not look for investors who choose wealth over human life,” he added.
Reacting to the comments, Rufai Oseni questioned the implications such a move could have on Nigeria’s investment climate and its efforts to attract foreign direct investment.
“It’s the same government that is saying they want investors. So how does that sound like when you can arbitrarily nationalise people’s shares when they come to invest in your country and you want foreign direct investment?” Rufai asked.
The Arise Television anchor also challenged the broader implications of the senator’s position.
“So if Nigerians have chaos with any country, it is to nationalise their shares? That’s how Adams Oshiomhole sees things right? You just nationalise people’s shares like that?” he added.
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over Oshiomhole’s remarks and the wider debate surrounding xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and the protection of foreign investments in Nigeria.
