Garba Shehu: This govt won’t accept foreign interference

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”.