By Taiye Agbaje
The Presidential Aspirant of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 general elections, Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley (YMK)), has called for stronger diplomatic action against attacks on Nigerians abroad, especially in South Africa.
Kingsley, in a statement he personally signed on Monday and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said enough is enough of the persecution of Nigerians and other African foreign nationals abroad.
“The Office of Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley (YMK) Nigeria,
Presidential Aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), expresses profound concern over the persistent and escalating attacks against Nigerian citizens and other foreign nationals in the Republic of South Africa, as well as the growing trend of anti-foreigner sentiments, discrimination, intimidation, extortion and unlawful persecution being experienced by Nigerians in different
parts of the world.
“Recent developments in South Africa, including reports of criminal gangs and self-appointed groups issuing ultimatums demanding that Nigerians and other foreign nationals vacate communities
without any lawful authority, represent a dangerous escalation that threatens not only the safety of innocent people but also the principles upon which modern democratic societies are built.”
According to him, no individual or group has the legal or moral authority to determine who has the right to reside in a country outside the framework of the law.
He said such actions amount to criminal vigilantism and must be treated as such by the appropriate authorities.
“For several years, Nigerians living and working legitimately in South Africa have repeatedly become victims of xenophobic attacks, unlawful killings, destruction of businesses, looting of
investments, arbitrary confiscation of properties, intimidation, physical assaults and other forms of violence.
“Families have been displaced, livelihoods destroyed and, in many tragic cases, innocent lives have been lost.
“These unfortunate incidents have continued to cast a dark shadow over
the historic relationship between
Nigeria and South Africa—two nations whose peoples stood together during the difficult years of the struggle against
apartheid and racial oppression.
“It is therefore deeply troubling that Africans, who once fought together for freedom, are today witnessing increasing hostility against fellow Africans whose only offence is pursuing lawful means of livelihood,” he said.
YMK said beyond South Africa, similar patterns of discrimination, unlawful detention, racial profiling, exploitative treatment, immigration blackmail, among others, have affected Nigerians in several countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
“While every sovereign nation reserves the constitutional right to regulate immigration, protect its borders and enforce its domestic laws, such responsibilities must always be exercised within the confines of the rule of law, due process, respect for human dignity
and internationally accepted human rights standards.
“Criminality has no nationality. It is therefore fundamentally wrong and morally unacceptable to criminalise an entire nationality because of the unlawful conduct of a few individuals.
“Collective punishment has no place in any civilized society. Indeed, it is acknowledged that there are isolated instances where one or two Nigerian citizens abroad have unfortunately engaged in activities that fall below acceptable legal and moral standards.
“Those individuals, where found culpable, our Embassies should follow up to ensure they are investigated and treated strictly in accordance with the laws of their host countries,” he said.
Kingsley, however, said that innocent Nigerians must never become victims of mob justice, racial profiling, ethnic stereotyping or indiscriminate persecution simply because they share the same nationality as offenders.
“Every Nigerian deserves the protection of the law. Every Nigerian deserves fair hearing.
“Every Nigerian deserves respect for his or her fundamental human rights.
“No Nigerian should be attacked, tortured, dispossessed of property, intimidated or killed without lawful judicial process,” he added.
According to him, a nation that fails to protect its citizens beyond its borders weakens both its international credibility and the confidence of its people.
“The YMK Nigeria Project believes that the dignity of every Nigerian citizen is inseparable from the dignity of the Nigerian state itself,” he said.
He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to engage the
South African Government through sustained diplomatic channels to ensure that perpetrators of xenophobic violence are investigated, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law..
“The Government of South Africa must demonstrate, through concrete actions, that no criminal gang, vigilante group or self-appointed organisation is permitted to usurp the authority of the state or threaten innocent foreign nationals.
“Likewise, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations and the international
community should strengthen
collaborative efforts aimed at preventing
xenophobic violence and promoting peaceful coexistence among all peoples.”
Kingsley said: “The YMK Nigeria Project stands firmly with every innocent Nigerian facing hardship abroad.”
“Accordingly, our Nigeria First Agenda places the welfare, protection and global respect of Nigerians at the centre of our
foreign policy framework.
“Under a YMK Nigeria Administration, comprehensive reforms shall be implemented to ensure that Nigerians living, studying, investing and
working abroad receive stronger diplomatic protection through a proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy.”
He said that Africa’s future cannot be built on hatred.
“It cannot be sustained by discrimination. It cannot prosper through intimidation.
“Our continent must become a place where every law-abiding African can live, work, invest and contribute to development without fear of persecution because of nationality.
“Enough of the killings. Enough of the intimidation. Enough of the confiscation of properties.
“Enough of the hate. Enough of the xenophobia,” he said.
Kingsley, who is currently challenging the May 25 primary election of the party that produced former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Donald Duke, as PRP’s presidential candidate, said Nigerians deserve respect.
It would be recalled that Kingsley, the aggrieved PRP’s presidential aspirant, had sued the party, ex-Gov. Duke and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026.
Kingsley, who sought an order setting aside the results of the presidential primary election conducted by the party, also sought an order declaring him as the valid presidential candidate of PRP for 2027 general elections.
