First-term governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have strongly condemned the reported xenophobic attacks and killings of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, calling the incidents unacceptable and demanding immediate justice.
The governors made the condemnation in a communiqué issued after a closed-door meeting of the APC First-Term Governors’ Forum held at the Birnin Kebbi Governors’ Lodge in Kebbi State.
Reading the communiqué, Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, urged South African authorities to launch a transparent investigation and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
“While we respect the sovereignty of South Africa and our brotherly relations, we condemn all forms of xenophobia, mob violence and unlawful killings of foreign nationals anywhere in the world,” Idris said.
The forum appealed to Nigerians residing in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding as diplomatic channels work to resolve the crisis.
The governors emphasized that Nigeria and South Africa, as two of Africa’s leading nations, must continue to build relations based on mutual respect, protection of citizens and shared continental interests.
On domestic issues, the governors reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying their campaign would be anchored on performance in governance rather than rhetoric.
According to the communiqué, the forum resolved to scale up efforts in agriculture, food security, infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, job creation and transparent governance to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
They also commended President Tinubu for what they described as difficult but necessary reforms, and urged the Federal Government to expand interventions in food production, transportation, energy, small businesses and social protection to ease economic hardship.
The meeting, chaired by Kaduna State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Uba Sani, had 18 first-term APC governors in attendance, while the governors of Cross River, Niger and Katsina states sent apologies.
The governors concluded by pledging to pursue governance built on “performance, not propaganda; service, not sentiment; unity, not division; and results, not noise.”
