Following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and Nigerian
businesses in South Africa, the Oodua Youth Coalition, OYC, has given South
African-owned companies and businesses seven days ultimatum to leave Nigeria.
In a statement which was signed
by the group’s President, Oluyi Akintade Tayo, the refusal of those concerned
to yield to the notice to quit will spell doom.
While expressing disappointment over the attitude of South
Africans against Nigerians living and working in South Africa, particularly
what it described as the continued silence of the South African government over
the development, the group stressed that during the apartheid era, which was
the trying time of the rainbow country, Nigeria stood solidly with them.
The statement reads, “Oodua Youth Coalition (OYC), the
foremost youth group in Nigeria projecting and protecting the Yoruba nation in
the country, is saddened and angered that South Africans, supported by the
country’s authorities, is coordinating the looting and burning of Nigerian
businesses and maiming and killing of our brothers and fathers in the land.
“It is unfortunate that South Africa, who under the
apartheid regime had the support and solidarity of Nigerians and the government
while the white supremacists reigned supreme, is now turning around to inflict
physical and psychological pains and injuries on the people whose parents
committed a large part of salaries and earnings and commonwealth to end the apartheid
reign.
“The video in circulation wherein Mr. Bongani Mkongi, the
South African Deputy Police Minister, defended the attacks on Nigerians and
other Africans confirmed our earlier fear and doubt on the culpability of the
South African authorities. It is baffling that the country whose former leader,
late Nelson Mandela recognised the efforts of Nigeria in enthroning South
African led government is forcefully and shamefully ejecting other Africans
mostly Nigerians from the country.
“We have condoned the excesses of these South Africans whose
businesses have been thriving in Nigeria without any form of physical and
psychological attack. For months, the coalition has written several letters to
the South African consulate in Nigeria requesting for meetings to chart a way
forward and find a lasting solution(s) to these barbaric, unfortunate incidents
yet have been ignored or met a brick wall.
“OYC, after an emergency meeting, has concluded plans to, as
a matter of urgency, attack all South African businesses and facilities spread
across Nigeria especially in the Southwest region of the country. DSTV, MTN,
SHOPRITE, STANBIC IBTC, and other outlets are our targets.
“We, therefore, give these South African businesses a
maximum of seven days to leave Nigeria or forget them as our coalition, with
other groups and comrades across the land, will attack and burn them to ashes,”
the statement read.
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