Renewed Xenophobic Attacks Leave Oshiomhole Exasperated

Senator Adams Oshiomhole is never known for staying silent in the face of perceived injustice. At the moment, the high level of exasperation he is going through is simply impossible to conceal.

The former labour leader and outspoken lawmaker is visibly furious over the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in parts of South Africa, and those close to him insist that his frustration has reached a boiling point.

For Oshiomhole, the disturbing development represents far more than isolated acts of violence. To him, it is a painful assault on the spirit of African brotherhood painstakingly built in the aftermath of apartheid. The senator reportedly finds it difficult to reconcile the recurring hostility against Nigerians with the enormous diplomatic, financial and moral support Nigeria extended to South Africa during its long and difficult liberation struggle. In his estimation, the repeated attacks have moved beyond ordinary criminality and now constitute a grave threat to continental unity and regional cooperation.

Within political circles, sources say the senator believes African leaders can no longer afford to approach xenophobic violence with diplomatic caution while innocent citizens continue to suffer. Although he stopped short of openly calling for retaliatory action, his comments at the Senate reflected the depth of his anger and disappointment.

Across Nigeria, many citizens appear to share the senator’s outrage. Social media platforms have remained awash with condemnation, with countless Nigerians questioning why the attacks continue to recur despite repeated bilateral engagements and public condemnations by both governments.

Yet beneath Oshiomhole’s fury lies something deeper — disappointment. For many Africans of his generation, South Africa once symbolised resilience, liberation and the triumph of collective African solidarity over oppression. The persistence of xenophobic violence therefore feels, to many, like a painful betrayal of a shared history and common destiny.