Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo North on Tuesday clashed with Arise News anchor Rufai Oseni about South African investments in Nigeria.
The controversy started after Oshiomhole said Nigeria should take over South African businesses in response to the killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
He mentioned that MTN is listed on the stock exchange and suggested that Nigerian shareholders could keep their shares and shift control away from South Africa.
He said, “We should re-privatise it so Nigerians can take it over, and there would be no repatriation of funds to South Africa.
“During the campaign of President Ramaphosa, a major shareholder in MTN, he argued that foreigners are doing the jobs of South Africans.
“Now South Africa has high unemployment, and some have transferred aggression against other Africans. Life is more important. Nigeria should not look for investors who choose wealth over human life.”
In response, Rufai questioned the rationale behind Oshiomhole’s stance on the issue.
He said, “It’s the same government that is saying they want investors. So how does that sound like when you can arbitrarily nationalize people’s shares when they come to invest in your country and you want foreign direct investment?
“So if Nigerians have chaos with any country, it is to nationalize their shares? That’s how Adams Oshiomhole sees things right? You just nationalise people’s shares like that?”