August 07, (THEWILL) – On Wednesday, Nigeria reiterated her sovereignty, warning against any external interference in the ongoing nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, declared this position when he addressed members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja.
In attendance were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello; the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke; and the Spokesperson, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Peter Afunaya, among others.
THEWILL reports that the position of the government follows reported cases of protesters waving the flag of Russia in some states and calling on President Vladimir Putin to come to the aid of the Nigerian citizens.
Although Russia, through its embassy in Abuja, dissociated itself from the protesters waving its flag and denied any involvement in the organising the protests, speaking on Wednesday through Tuggar, Nigeria threatened to take appropriate action against any country that might be behind the ongoing protest.
Tuggar said President Bola Tinubu led the campaign against military dictatorship in the 1990s and believes in Nigeria’s democracy, and that freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the right to dissent are fundamental.
However, Tuggar said Nigeria is a country under the rule of law and no one can tolerate the thuggish behaviour of fringe elements and those who stand behind them.
He also said while the government continues to work hard through various reform programmes and measures to address the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, it is pertinent to remind the Diplomatic Corps that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs and that of its citizens.
“Nigeria is no exception. The government will take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country”, Tuggar said.
Tuggar further said Nigeria cherishes and continues to value the cordial relationships that happily subsist between her and individual countries and organisations and will not do anything to undermine or take for granted such relationships.
“Indeed, more than at any time before, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country to achieve a better life for every Nigerian at home and abroad”, he added.
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