The senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended his call for the nationalisation of MTN and other South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria, saying the country must prioritise the lives of its citizens over foreign investment.

He made the call yesterday during an interview on Arise TV Morning Show Programme, where he reacted to renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

Recall that Oshiomhole had last week on the floor of the Senate, said Nigeria must respond firmly to protect its citizens, stressing reciprocity in international relations.

His words, “I am aware that MTN is quoted, and therefore Nigerian shareholders can hold on, but we take away the South African rights,” he said.

Oshiomhole further proposed that the Federal Government could nationalise affected companies, including financial institutions, and later re-privatise them under Nigerian control.

“And because of the issue… you nationalise, and then you re-privatise it so that Nigerians can take it over, and the profit they are taking out of Nigeria will be retained here. There will be no South African share in it,” he added.

Oshiomhole also claimed that South African authorities only responded meaningfully after diplomatic pressure from Nigeria, though he did not provide evidence for the assertion.

“Thereafter, President Ramaphosa came out clearly to condemn the attack on Black people. He didn’t do that until I attacked his interests,” he said.

He insisted that human life must take priority over economic considerations, arguing that investment should not come at the cost of Nigerian lives.

“If anything leads to the death of Nigeria, what is the value of wealth to the dead? We don’t want investors who invest at the expense of human blood. Even in my poverty, I value my life,” he said.

“Life is more important; we don’t want investors who invest at the expense of human blood. If you need Nigerian blood to service and you don’t care about Nigerian human blood because you want to attract investors, even in my poverty, I value my life.”

The former governor linked his position to what he described as repeated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, alleging that justice had not been served in previous incidents.

“When a country, for the first time, killed Nigerians, they got away with it. The second time, they killed Nigerians; they got away with it. Third time, they killed Nigerians; they got away with it,” he said.

He added, “Under Buhari, there was an agreement., they broke it. They are killing Nigerians. Nobody is in prison for murder, or extrajudicial murder.

“You are talking about law. Is there no law protecting the life of foreigners who live in your country? Even if they were there illegally, there are legal ways to repatriate them, to deport them,” he said.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has called for the immediate impeachment of any state governor found to have used public funds for political campaign activities, amid rising concerns over alleged large-scale mobilisation of resources ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation raisde the alarm over reports circulating in the public space suggesting that some serving governors may have contributed or mobilised massive sums of money for political campaigns and efforts aimed at consolidating political power.

It said the allegations have sparked national concern and raised urgent questions about the source of such funds.

ActionAid Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said in a statement he personally signed yesterday that the situation is unacceptable, warning against the diversion of public resources for political purposes.

Mamedu stated, “It is appalling that at a time when Nigeria is drowning in debt, workers are struggling with the rising cost of living, public hospitals are underfunded, schools are collapsing, insecurity is spreading, and millions of Nigerians are battling hunger and extreme economic hardship, that any suggestion that public resources are being diverted or deployed for political campaigns.

“It is outrageous, reckless, immoral, and completely unacceptable. Let it be clearly stated that governors are not elected to convert state resources into political war chests.

“Nigerians did not vote for public office holders to use taxpayer funds, state allocations, public procurement systems, security votes, government assets, or state institutions to fund political ambitions and electoral calculations.”

He demanded full transparency from those allegedly linked to the reports.

“ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, demands an immediate public explanation from all governors and political actors allegedly linked to these reports.

“Nigerians deserve to know whether these funds came from legitimate private political fundraising or whether state resources were directly or indirectly used, leveraged, diverted, coordinated, or disguised for political purposes.

“If these funds did not come from public resources, then those involved must come out publicly and transparently state so,” he added.

The organisation called on anti-corruption agencies and state legislatures to open investigations into the allegations.

It urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and State Houses of Assembly to immediately commence a comprehensive probe.

This is a matter of public interest, democratic integrity, accountability, and the protection of public resources belonging to millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.

Mamedu further called for strong consequences for any official found culpable.

He stated, “ActionAid Nigeria calls for the immediate commencement of impeachment proceedings against any governor found guilty of using state resources for partisan political purposes.

“Any governor who diverts public resources for political campaigns has violated public trust and abused the mandate given to them by citizens. Such individuals should not remain in office.

“Appropriate sanctions must also include prosecution, recovery of diverted funds, removal from public office, disqualification from holding public offices in the future, and every other legal consequence necessary to protect democratic accountability and deter future abuse.”

He warned that unchecked misuse of state resources could undermine democratic processes, especially ahead of the 2027 elections, saying it risks giving incumbents an unfair advantage over other contenders.

Mamedu added that while political parties are free to organise their campaigns and raise legitimate funds, public resources must never be involved.

He noted that in established democracies such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, and South Africa, strict rules and oversight mechanisms exist to prevent the misuse of public office for political advantage, with violations often resulting in resignations, investigations, or removals from office.

He also urged citizens, civil society groups, and whistleblowers to remain vigilant.

“Ahead of the 2027 elections, Nigerians must keep their eyes open and remain alert to any attempt to divert public resources into political campaigns and partisan activities.

“The defence of democracy cannot be left to institutions alone. Citizens must actively defend their states, their resources, and the integrity of public governance,” the country director advised.

Concerns over the alleged misuse of public funds for political activities come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s long-standing struggles with fiscal accountability and weak enforcement of campaign finance regulations.

The Nigerian Navy has disrupted attempts to establish illegal refining infrastructure and recovered a large cache of suspected illegally refined petroleum products in separate operations across Rivers.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho.

Folorunsho said the operations were conducted under Operation Delta Sentinel, as part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

He said that personnel of Forward Operating Base Bonny, following credible intelligence on suspicious activities, foiled attempts by economic saboteurs to set up illegal refining sites in the Promise Land area of Bonny Local Government Area.

The naval spokesman added that the operators were still in the early stages of establishing the camps, indicating plans to create a new refining hub before full-scale operations.

He said the sites were subsequently dismantled in line with operational procedures, while the area had been placed under continued monitoring.

Folorunsho said that in a related development, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Soroh discovered a concealed fuel stockpile along the Rivers–Bayelsa border corridor.

He said the discovery followed intelligence reports of suspicious movement of petroleum products around the Okarki community waterside in Abua-Odual Local Government Area.

”On deployment, aerial surveillance revealed multiple sacks concealed within dense vegetation along the creek environment.

”Further exploitation led to the recovery of about 3,800 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in 38 sacks,” he said.

Folorunsho said that although no arrests were made as suspects fled the scene, the recovered products were secured in accordance with operational procedures.

He also said the operations highlighted the increasing reliance of illegal fuel networks on remote creek corridors and hidden storage points to sustain their activities.

He added that ongoing operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL were focused on identifying emerging hot-spots, disrupting illegal refining infrastructure, and restricting the mobility of criminal elements.

The naval spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting critical national assets and safeguarding the maritime environment from economic sabotage.