South Africa rejects Nigerians request for voting power.

In Pretoria - The South African government has dismissed demands by Nigerians living in South Africa to participate in future South African elections.

In an interview, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, said such demands by Nigerians were “ridiculous” and “unacceptable.”

Arguing that the idea would never be tolerated, Monyela challenged Nigerians living in South Africa to understand bilateral agreements and trade relations.

“It is impossible, ridiculous and unacceptable! What it means is that our country has to change the constitution to suit Nigerian demands; something that is impossible,” Monyela said.

Monyela was reacting to calls made by Nigerians living in South Africa this past weekend.

They (Nigerians) demanded that they should be allocated ward council and parliamentary positions arguing that their economy contributed a significant percentage to the South African economy via the number of South African multinational firms operating in Nigeria and the amount of Nigerians living in South Africa.


“South African companies alone are the biggest investors in more than 26 African countries, does this mean we (South Africa) must have MPs (Members of Parliament) in each and every African country that we have investments?” Monyela asked.

He added, “China is the biggest BRICS trading partner, so does it mean the Chinese must automatically have seats in our parliament? There is no such a thing in the whole world.”

There was no immediate response from the Nigerian High Commissioner despite a request on Tuesday.

Nigerians interviewed by CAJ News argued that South African companies were raking in billions of dollars from Nigeria into South Africa yet Nigerians living in South Africa were not allowed to make any meaningful contribution towards policy formulation as well as represent Nigerian citizens in the country.