‘Your Government Is Too Slow’ – Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over Xenophobic Violence in South Africa

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the federal government of Nigeria’s response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is always slow in responding to issues affecting its citizens including the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“Nigeria likes to pride itself as the giant of Africa but other countries are always quick to take decisive action on matters, while Nigeria always reacts instead of leading in moments of continental crisis,” Atiku said.

Unlike smaller countries like Ghana that have acted decisively to protect their citizens by evacuating over 300 distressed citizens in the wake of the latest xenophobic threats, Abuja appeared paralysed, reactive and robbed of the sense of urgency the moment demanded, Mr. Agbaje said.

“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 rather than leading at a time of continental crisis.

When the first signs of danger emerged, smaller African nations acted with clarity, compassion, and urgency. Ghana took decisive action. Others issued strong warnings and activated protective mechanisms for their citizens. But Nigeria, whose citizens have over the years suffered the brunt of xenophobic violence in South Africa, responded with the lethargy that has become the defining trademark of this administration,” he said.

Too Slow, Inefficient
Atiku further added that the response of the Nigerian government to the xenophobic attack is belated and short of expectations.

He said Nigerians living in South Africa have been subjected to cycles of intimidation, looting, harassment and xenophobic hostility which has destroyed businesses, put lives in danger and left families in fear.

According to the 2027 presidential aspirant, Nigeria does little more than “Summon diplomats, make cautious statements, and retreat into bureaucratic inertia until the next crisis erupts.”

This is not about whether the government eventually responded,” he added. It is about whether that response was what one would expect from a responsible government in terms of urgency, seriousness and leadership. By any objective standard, it did not”

“When a government waits to lead until others have pioneered the way, it sends a dangerous signal. It’s frankly humiliating that Ghana, with far less diplomatic resources and citizens abroad, projected better leadership and more clear compassion in this moment than Nigeria.

Path Ahead
He urged the Nigerian government to take decisive steps, including issuing a strong and clear travel advisory; activating efficient evacuation arrangements for willing citizens; increasing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities; and rallying the African Union towards a lasting continental framework against recurring xenophobic violence.

He specifically called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get rid of its habitual slowness and meet the challenges of a moment where both lives and national dignity were at stake.

“Africa cannot continue to preach unity and allow for periodic persecution of fellow Africans. And Nigeria cannot continue to posture as a continental leader while behaving like a reluctant observer,” said Atiku.