BUHARI CAUTIONS FOREIGN MISSIONS TO STAY OUT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS IN NIGERIA

President Muhammadu Buhari urged foreign diplomats currently in the country to refrain from meddling in domestic issues yesterday ahead of the upcoming general elections.

While accepting letters of credence from the ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal, and the Republic of South Sudan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Buhari issued a warning against foreign interference.

The President urged the new foreign diplomats to keep their activities and concerns within the parameters of their calling and the reasons they were brought to Nigeria in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

President Buhari, said: “I urge you to be guided by diplomatic practice to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to the elections and the conduct of the general elections itself.

“I wish you all success in your respective tours of duty and at the same time encourage you to take time to enjoy the unique nature and culture at your disposal as you travel across our country,” he said.

Additionally, he informed the ambassadors that Nigeria was collaborating closely with ECOWAS to address the issue of insecurity in the West African region and to put plans in place to stop the recent wave of unlawful changes to regional administration.

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For West Africa’s problems to be solved, he urged nations’ cooperation and partnership.

President Buhari invited friendly countries to “Support efforts to address the problem of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance.”

The President assured the ambassadors that Nigeria unquestionably enjoyed highly friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and collaboration with each of their different nations, and he praised the contributions made by their forebears who had worked diligently and resolutely to advance these objectives.

The Ambassadors sent their best wishes for peaceful, free, and fair elections to Nigeria and wished the President success in his remaining duties.