The Federal Government, Saturday night, strongly condemned the comments of the United States of America and her United Kingdom counterpart on the suspension of the country’s Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen.
Reacting to the position of foreign countries on the suspension of the CJN, the government insisted that as a sovereign country, Nigeria deserves respect and honour.
Following the controversies generated by the suspension of Mr. Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday and the appointment of a successor in acting capacity, the United States, United Kingdom and other foreign institutions issued statements advising the government to retrace its steps.
Before their latest statements on the suspension of the chief justice of Nigeria, the US and the UK had earlier on Thursday threatened to ban from entering their countries any Nigerian who instigated violence or engaged in rigging of the forthcoming elections.
Even, United Kingdom threatened to bring perpetrators of electoral violence before international court for trial.
A statement by Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, said as much as Nigeria welcomes interests and partnerships for a successful 2019 general elections, the government would not condone unfair interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The government, however, pledged its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful election, saying the electoral umpire, that is, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been made truly independent and offered the required support.
The statement by Mr. Shehu reads in part; “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.
“In addition, the Federal government has ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to perform their functions in a manner that is transparent and is not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs and will continue to do this.
“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.”
The statement urged Nigerian citizens to confidently exercise their franchise in an orderly manner, assuring them of adequate security during and after the electoral process, “as well as the readiness of the security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by elements within or from outside the country.”
