The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated Nigeria’s firm stance against foreign interference in its domestic affairs while underscoring the importance of maintaining cordial international relationships.
Tuggar made this declaration during a briefing for members of the diplomatic corps on the Federal Government’s programs and policies in Abuja on Wednesday.
The nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest, which began on Thursday, August 1, was sparked by widespread hardship among citizens. Major highways were blocked, worsening the situation.
The protests, gaining momentum in cities such as Lagos, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns, have been marked by violence. In some cases, the actions of security officials triggered the violence, while in others, overzealous protesters or counter-protesters were responsible.
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Over the weekend, media reports and footage showed protesters carrying Russian flags. In response, President Bola Tinubu, in a national broadcast on Sunday, urged the organizers to suspend the protests due to escalating violence and the resulting loss of lives and property.
Minister Tuggar appealed for continued international support for Nigeria’s efforts to overcome its challenges and achieve a better future for all citizens.
“While the government continues to work hard through various reform programs and measures to address the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, it is pertinent to remind us that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs or that of its citizens. Nigeria is not an exception,” Tuggar stated.
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He emphasized that the government would take appropriate action against any foreign entity in Nigeria found to have supported the protesters or interfered in the country’s internal affairs.
Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to valuing its international relationships and solicited understanding and collaboration from the global community in addressing the nation’s economic challenges.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s support for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression while committing to investigating the violence and bringing those responsible to justice.
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Idris expressed gratitude to the diplomatic community for their support and assured that the worst of the unrest is over. He expressed optimism that the government’s policy interventions would soon yield positive results for the nation.
“I want to assure your excellencies that the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence that we have seen in the last week to identify and bring to justice all those responsible. We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future.
I also want to thank you individually and collectively for your support and understanding during that difficult period. I want to assure you that the worst is over, and we can now, as a nation, march forward to enjoy the fruit of all the policy and program interventions being implemented. I thank you for your kind attention,” Idris stated.