Nigerians Blast Sanusi, El-Rufai, Fayemi For Attending WEF Amid Xenophobic Attacks
Some Nigerians have taken to social media to register their displeasure over the visit of Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II , to South Africa despite the Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in the country.
The reputable Emir of Kano was spotted in a camaraderie atmosphere dining in South Africa alongside Governors Kayode Fayemi and Nasir El-Rufai of Ekiti and Kaduna states respectively.
The development came after Nigerians raised the alarm over the appearance of Jim Ovia and other Nigerians including a former minister Oby Ezekwesili at the World Economic Forum Africa 2019 , taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.
Lagos Times recalls that properties including cars belonging to Nigerians in the country were set ablaze by South Africans in the wake of the Xenophobic attacks .
In a viral video making the rounds on social media, South Africans were seen carting away goods from shops belonging to Nigerians, With at least three people feared dead during the coordinated attacks.
Obviously enraged by the reprensible and horrendous acts meted out to their compatriots and fellow Africans, Nigerians, in a fit of retaliation, stormed business outlets believed to be owned by South Africans.
While protests in some parts of the country were peaceful, others turned violent which led to the loss of life and destroying of properties.
The aftermath of the protest led to death of yet to be identified person, with eye witness report saying the victim was a protester who was killed after an angry mob set a police van on fire during a protest on Tuesday.
Reacting to the Xenophobic attacks , the Nigerian government through Bashir Ahmad, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari , said it was boycotting the WEF.
“Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa, but some individuals from Nigeria including a former Minister are attending on their own. Madam Oby Ezekwesili, she is attending the WEF in Cape Town, South Africa,” the Presidential aide tweeted.
While the Federal Government said it was boycotting the WEF, Emir Sanusi, Governors Fayemi and El-Rufai on the other hand, attended another conference in South Africa after which they were spotted having dinner in Stellenbosch, South Africa on Wednesday, September 4
Nigerians boycotted the WEF yet we have Aunty oby, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Emir of Kano, Governor Nasir El-Rufai in South Africa to watch Bafana Bafana of South Africa VS Super Eagles of Nigeria Match.
Hypocrites everywhere in Nigeria APC.
— T. Bolanle Cole Esq.🇳🇬 (@BolanleCole) September 5, 2019
So Mallam Nasir El rufai, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Governor Fayemi were all at the WEF, but @BashirAhmaad and Buharists singled out Oby because maligning her will make us forget our President can’t pronounce Xenophobia.
— BONARIO NNAGS (@bonario89) September 5, 2019
The lawlessness in the land is pervasive. Will any Republican Governor defy President Trump to visit a country he had declined invitation to visit based on the circumstances like we are witnessing in SA? But El’Rufai and Fayemi had to go. Total insult and disregard of PMB.
— Mazi Gburugburu (@Mazigburugburu1) September 5, 2019
Does the Nigerian Government understand the meaning of WEF boycott or they were simply catching up with smaller African nations who took the same action? Many Nigerians overrate the wisdom that runs the Nigerian Government. El Rufai and Fayemi knew they could get away with this.
— Ohimai Godwin Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) September 5, 2019
Just so you know, Madam Oby is not the only person that attended WEF in Cape Town, South Africa.
~Governor Kayode Fayemi.
~Governor Nasir Elrufai.
~Amina Jane Mohammed
~Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and others attended the WEF too.— Anambra 1st son💭 (@UchePOkoye) September 5, 2019
While I was calling out on Madam Oby & Jim Ovia, I didn't even know Emir Sanusi, Governor Kayode Fayemi & ElRufai were also in #WEF2019. Who says the government boycotted the event then? Aren't we a hypocritical & an unserious people? #SayNoToXenophicAttacks
— Olaudah Equiano® (@RealOlaudah) September 5, 2019
@BashirAhmaad somehow, you only noticed a former minister of Igbo extraction as the only one who attended WEF in South Africa- in this pictures are @elrufai , Emir Sanusi and @kfayemi at same Forum. You are the spokesperson of the President of the federal republic act as one! pic.twitter.com/RHdXvHnfHH
— Ayekooto (@thebardogbamola) September 5, 2019
Wait. What is Emir Sanusi doing in South Africa? Come on!!! https://t.co/6YBX74JRSv
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) September 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/iSlimfit/status/1169578835362353152