The Federal Government of Nigeria has come forward to condemn what it deemed foreign interference in its state affairs from various international bodies ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Presidency declared that recent statements from the United Kingdom, United States of America and European Union – which all raised concerns over the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen – have the tendency to cause apprehension and distrust between the country and its people.
Without waiting for a ruling to be made in the case against Onnoghen, the President swore in Justice Tanko Muhammed as the Acting Chief Justice of the Federation, a major infraction against the rules laid down by the National Judicial Council.
Garba Shehu, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, issued the warning in a statement, where he explained that the remarks made undermine the work the administration is doing and increase doubt among the people which could, in turn, affect the acceptability of the election’s outcome. Shehu said:
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.”
Shehu added that while Nigeria is welcoming to collaborations and interests towards achieving a free and fair election, the country is well equipped to protect itself against foreign interference in its own politics.
“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,’’ he said.
