President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the international community against interfering in Nigeria’s general elections slated for February 25 and March 11.
This is as he has assured that Nigeria was working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deal with insecurity in the West African region as well as implementing strategies to contain the spate of unconstitutional changes in government in the sub-region.
The president spoke, yesterday, in Abuja while receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Sudan, at State House.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying:“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.”
Buhari also called for cooperation and collaboration from the countries to overcome lingering challenges in West Africa.
The President 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 and their respective nations have highly friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relations and collaboration, and praised the contributions made by their predecessors who had worked diligently and resolutely to further these causes.
He said “I am therefore confident that your appointments are obviously deliberate to build on the successes of your immediate predecessors in order to advance our relations to significant and enviable heights. “As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I am hopeful that you will appreciate the political, socio-economic and cultural diversities which are the hallmarks of the Nigerian nation. I encourage you to build friendships and take time to fraternise across the length and breadth of the country including interfacing with both the public and private sectors in bid to explore areas of mutual benefit to your respective countries and Nigeria.”
The President continued “Sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, transportation, solid minerals are areas of particular interest to us and foreign investors alike. This will enable us to collectively strive to resuscitate all our countries’ economies in the post pandemic global recovery processes.”
President Buhari also acknowledged the support of the respective countries in his administration’s campaign to deal with the challenges of insecurity such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking, as well as the threats posed by environmental challenges resulting from climate change in the Lake Chad Region.
He said factors that account for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain.
He said matters of security have become the business of all nations of the world to work together at both bilateral and multilateral platforms and build consensus in order to overcome these challenges.
Envoys who presented their Letters of Credence were Nicolas Lang, Switzerland; Annika Hahn Englund, Sweden; Peter Ryan, Ireland; Kitiisak Klomchit, Thailand, Nicolas Nyouky, Senegal and David Chaot of South Sudan.
Ambassador of Switzerland, Nicolas Lang, who responded on behalf of his colleagues wished Nigeria peaceful, free and fair elections. He extended their goodwill to the President on his remaining days in office.
He also assured that they will exercise their functions as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary with dedication, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and for the mutual benefit of our countries.
“We are keenly aware of the importance of Nigeria to the wellbeing of the entire African continent, its role in international politics and its weight in the world economy. Each and every one of us is proud to represent his or her country and its interests in this great Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Lang said.