Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has offered a historical perspective on xenophobic tensions involving Nigerians in parts of Africa, linking present-day grievances to past political decisions.
Oshiomhole made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, while reacting to recurring incidents targeting Nigerians in countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Addressing the issue, he said, “They punched us in Ghana, we turn the other cheek. But for Ghana, sometimes I have mixed feelings. Once upon a time we had a Shehu Shagari government that asked Ghanaians to go home. That was what gave rise to this popular Ghana must go. For me, that is the problem.”
The former governor pointed to the 1980s expulsion of undocumented migrants under the Shagari administration as a key moment that continues to shape perceptions and relations between Nigerians and Ghanaians. The phrase “Ghana must go,” which became widely associated with that period, has since remained a symbol of strained relations and retaliatory sentiments.
Oshiomhole suggested that current hostilities cannot be fully understood without acknowledging this historical context. According to him, past actions taken by Nigeria may have contributed to lingering resentment, complicating present-day diplomatic and social interactions between citizens of both countries….Read_More…