Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended his controversial remarks on South African businesses operating in Nigeria, insisting that the lives of Nigerians are more important than foreign investments.
Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Oshiomhole stated that economic interests should never take precedence over the safety and protection of Nigerians living abroad, particularly in South Africa where Nigerians have repeatedly faced xenophobic attacks.
The former Edo State governor said his comments were aimed at forcing the South African government to respond decisively to attacks against Nigerians.
Oshiomhole argued that pressure on South African business interests in Nigeria would compel political leaders in Pretoria to act.
“When you hit Ramaphosa as president, you touch his economic interest in Nigeria, he will speak up,” he stated.
He added, “After I spoke, President Ramaphosa came out clearly to condemn the attack.”
Responding to concerns that tough measures against foreign companies could discourage investment in Nigeria, Oshiomhole maintained that human lives should take priority over economic considerations.
“You place more weight on wealth than the life of human beings,” he said.
“If anything leads to the death of Nigerians, what is the value of wealth to the dead?”
The senator said he could not support foreign investments that thrive while Nigerians are being attacked and killed abroad.
“We don’t want investors who invest at the expense of human blood,” he declared.
“If you need Nigerian blood to survive, and you do not care about Nigerian human blood because you want to attract investors, I will say, even in my poverty, I value my life.”
Oshiomhole also criticised what he described as excessive focus on attracting foreign capital at the expense of national dignity and safety.
“Money is not a deity for me,” he said.
The senator insisted that his position was rooted in protecting Nigerians and ensuring foreign governments take responsibility for the safety of Nigerians living within their borders.
