Oshiomhole and Governor Rufai clash over South African investments amid xenophobia concerns

Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhle on Tuesday clashed with Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni regarding his view on South African investments in Nigeria.

During the interview, Oshiomhle said that Nigeria should nationalise South African businesses in response to the killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

He noted that MTN is listed on the stock exchange and suggested that Nigerian shareholders could retain their shares to remove South African control.

“We should re-privatise it so Nigerians can take it over, and there would be no repatriation of funds to South Africa.”

He referenced President Cyril Ramaphosa’s campaign, noting that Ramaphosa is a major shareholder in MTN, and argued that foreigners are taking jobs that should belong to South Africans.

“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,” Oshiomhle said.

Rufai responded, “It’s the same government that says it wants investors. How does that sound when it can arbitrarily nationalise people’s shares as they come to invest in your country while seeking foreign direct investment?”

He added, “So if Nigerians experience conflict with any country, the solution is to nationalise their shares? Is that how Adams Oshiomhle sees it? You just nationalise people’s shares like that?”