Garba Shehu, senior special
assistant to the president on media and publicity, says the federal government
will not accept foreign interference in the nation’s affairs.
Shehu said this hours after the
US, UK and EU reacted to the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of
Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In separate statements, the
countries said the action of Buhari could have effect on the general election.
But Shehu said the Buhari administration is
against actions capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or
undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nation’s
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,” he said.
“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 said the federal government
welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections
and a peaceful Nigeria.
He added that the government had
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,’’ he said.
He 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”.
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