FG warns US, UK, EU over Nigeria’s internal affairs

The Federal Government has warned against foreign interference into
the nation’s affairs, capable of creating apprehension, distrust among
citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes
of the nation’s electoral process.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Garba Shehu, gave the government position in a statement on Saturday.

The statement was apparently a reaction to comments made by some
foreign countries including the United Kingdom (UK), United States of
America (U.S.A.) and the European Union, over the suspension of Justice
Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

President Buhari had also sworn-in the acting Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko, to replace Onnoghen, pending final
determination of the cases against him.

According to Shehu, the federal government condemned “any
interference or perception management that promotes apprehension,
citizens distrust or undermines the transparency and acceptability of
the outcomes of our electoral process.

“Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or
interference with respect to wholly internal affairs and commends
international laws, customs and norms that mandate and require nations
and the comity to respect this prerogative to all.

“Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation
for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the
independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources
needed to accomplish our desire and insistence on free and fair
elections’’.

He said the government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections and a peaceful Nigeria.

Government, he said, has ensured the independence of all organs,
institutions and arms of government to “perform their functions in a
manner that is transparent, and not lacking in integrity whether
institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs.’’

“Although the question of foreign interference, whether state
sponsored, promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and
outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the
global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will
and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without
pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not
constitutionally empowered to participate in the process,” it said.

The government enjoined the citizens to confidently exercise their
franchise in an orderly manner with the assurance of the federal
government to their security during and after the electoral process.

Shehu further reiterated the readiness of the nation’s security
forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the
process whether by elements within or from outside the country.