Fed Govt draws line for foreign countries on polls | Nairalaw

THROUGH its Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, the
Federal Government yesterday drew a red line for foreign countries
on internal affairs, especially as it concerns the general
elections.

He was raising concern on the interference of some countries in
Nigeria’s internal matters.

Onyeama spoke at a joint briefing of Heads of Diplomatic
Missions and International Organsiations accredited for the general
elections alongside the INEC chairman and the Inspector-General of
Police (IGP).

The minister said there is no problem for friendly nations to
engage the government but the manner of the engagement in some
cases have gone beyond the limit.

Onyeama said: “We welcome very much your engagement, we
appreciate very much the support of all other countries in this
process, we acknowledge how important your engagement and also in
2015 to help us to deliver probably one of the previous
election.

“We welcome international observers to the country and all other
friends and media to be fully engaged, but what we are concerned
about, has sometimes been just the way the engagement has been
communicated.”

He further noted that election to choose who to lead Nigeria is
the exclusive right of the country and hence, the country would not
tolerate a situation where it will be dictated to.

He also urged them to be unbiased in their assessment of the
electoral process.

According to him: ”And we have expected and hope that you will
also be impartial and just help and observe to see if the election
will be free fair and credible and not to give any sense of
indication that they might be preference.”

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to ensure a seamless conduct of the rescheduled Presidential
and National Assembly election on Saturday.

The minister reminded the electoral umpire of its constitutional
mandate to conduct credible elections, saying that nothing less
will be acceptable.

Demanding an assurance from the electoral body that February 23
will not suffer the same fate as February 16, Onyeama said: “Most
importantly, Mr. President and all Nigerians absolutely demand that
elections be held on Saturday and nothing less will be acceptable
to government and to Nigerians.”

He further added that what is expected from the commission is a
total assurance that “this Saturday we will have the
elections.”

The minister, who also explained President Muhammadu Buhari’s
anger over the postponement, said after providing all necessary
support and assistance, there was no reason why INEC should fail
the country.

He said: “I think it is absolutely important that the message be
communicated that the government is absolutely disappointed and
just cannot understand why after three years, the commission was
still unable to deliver this process on time.

“I have never seen him so livid as he did with the
postponement.

“The President objective is to ensure free, fair and transparent
elections. Hence, the decision to postpone the elections by INEC is
something he could not pardon.”

The minister added that after investing time and resources into
the campaign by going round the entire country, canvassing for
votes, you will of course be disappointed.”