Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over Delayed Response to Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as a delayed and inadequate response to the latest wave of xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
Atiku described the Federal Government’s handling of the situation as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” for a country that continues to project itself as Africa’s leading nation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, obtained by PulseNets, the former vice president said Nigeria’s hesitant reaction compared poorly with the swift steps taken by smaller African countries to protect their citizens.
Atiku pointed to the decisive action taken by Ghana, which reportedly approved the immediate evacuation of more than 300 distressed nationals, as a clear example of the urgency and leadership he believes was lacking from 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.
The former vice president further noted that while other countries quickly issued travel advisories and activated protective measures immediately threats surfaced, Nigeria appeared slow to respond despite its citizens historically being among the most affected victims of 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.
Atiku maintained that the issue was not merely about whether the government eventually reacted, but whether its response reflected the urgency and leadership expected from a responsible administration.
“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.”
He also referenced what he described as a recurring pattern in which Nigerian businesses are destroyed, lives threatened, and families forced to live in fear in South Africa, while Nigerian authorities respond with diplomatic summons, cautious statements, and bureaucratic delays until another crisis emerges.
“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.”
The former vice president described it as “frankly humiliating” that Ghana, despite having fewer diplomatic resources and citizens in South Africa, showed what he called stronger leadership and compassion during the crisis than Nigeria.
Atiku called on the Federal Government to move beyond what he termed “half-measures” by immediately issuing a stronger travel advisory, activating effective evacuation plans for willing Nigerians, increasing diplomatic pressure on South African authorities, and engaging the African Union to establish a sustainable continental framework against recurring xenophobic violence.
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“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 also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to abandon what he described as its “habitual slow-footedness” and demonstrate the urgency and competence Nigerians expect, especially when the lives of citizens and the country’s national dignity are involved.
