Xenophobi Attacks: Gbajabiamila Speaks On Trip To South Africa, Says “Our Country Is Afraid Of No One”

Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, has said that Nigerians will criticize the National Assembly if it fails to address the issue of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians based in South Africa.
While Gbajabiamila six members of the House, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is to lead six members of the Senate to South Africa.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said: “People will ask the national assembly, ‘Where were you guys when this was happening in South Africa?’ The national assembly is a bedrock of democracy, anything that happens to Nigerians, it is the national assembly that will be looked at.
“Now, we are doing something out of the ordinary and again we are hearing ‘Why are you doing it?’ When it succeeds, we all will be happy.”
Gbajabiamila also spoke on Southern Kaduna killings, among other National issues.
He said: “On the issue of IPOB, and issue of southern Kaduna, charity begins at home, those who follow what happens in the national assembly know that southern Kaduna matter is brought up on a regular basis, and delegations have been sent there and other parts of Nigeria where there were attacks. I don’t believe we sat down idly and did nothing.
“The international dimension is a different dimension, other countries are involved and it has become international, so we are going on a fact-finding mission.”
He waved aside the suggestions that Nigeria should make diplomatic relations difficult with South Africa over the attacks, saying that would be the last resort.
“Our country is afraid of no one. When you say are a big brother, retaliation is not the first step to diplomacy,” he said.
“Cutting off ties and retaliation are always the last resort, it will always be on the table but it will be the last resort. Not too long ago, Nigeria slammed perhaps the biggest South African company a fine of N3.5 billion, there was no question of being afraid to slap such a hefty fine which many argue could have crippled MTN.”