Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has lamented the worsening condition of Nigerians abroad, revealing that many citizens facing xenophobic attacks in South Africa would rather remain there than return home
Obi, who just returned to the country, raised the concerns at a dinner organised for NDC aspirants in Abuja on Monday.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the NDC media team.
He said despite efforts to facilitate the return of distressed Nigerians from South Africa, many rejected the offer, insisting that conditions in Nigeria were worse.
“I just came back last night from South Africa. You know what Nigerians are going through in South Africa and so many other African countries,” Obi said.
“I finally addressed Nigerians. I told them that if we had things working in our country the way they should be, most of you wouldn’t be here.
“If you don’t know, we provided facilities for them to come back. But most of them told me they would rather die there than come back. They said things are even worse at home.”
Obi said he met with political leaders and former South African President Thabo Mbeki to seek improved relations between South Africans and other African nationals.
“I took time to sit down with three ministers who are leaders of their own parties to plead with them about how things can work between South Africans and other African nationals, and we had a very fruitful discussion,” he added.
The former governor also faulted the Federal Government over what he described as its failure to support Nigerians facing hardship abroad.
“It is not only in South Africa that Nigerians have problems, but they have problems in other countries. I have had the opportunity to speak to leaders in those countries.
“I have had cause to ask them if our government has visited and the answer is no. If your country is not there for you, who will care for you? Is it an outsider?” he queried.
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