According to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria will not put up with any kind of outside meddling in the current protests taking place in the nation.
The Nigerian government has issued a warning that it will not accept any foreign meddling in the current protests taking place in the nation, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar.
The Minister declared that any domestic organisation discovered to have provided direct or indirect assistance for the demonstration will face consequences from the government.
But he gave the people of Nigeria and the globe reassurance that President Bola Tinubu is aware of the suffering and annoyance that are motivating the protest and is making every effort to find a solution.
He stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the pain and frustration that is driving the protests and has assured Nigerians that his government is committed to listening to and addressing their concerns.” He has made a special appeal to the country’s youth, advising them not to let violence and destruction tear it apart. While recognising that there have been many disappointed hopes in the past, he underlined that Nigeria is entering a new period of Renewed Hope because the administration is working hard, and that the benefits will soon be visible and tangible for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.
“As a result, the President has directed that security operatives continue to preserve peace, law, and order in the country in accordance with the relevant human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, because the safety and security of all Nigerians is vital.
“Members of the diplomatic corps, I have supplied you with a great deal of information, including facts and figures that reflect where we are and what we, as a responsible, elected administration, are attempting to achieve. But this is about more than just numbers. The President led the 1990s anti-military dictatorship fight and believes in democracy, particularly in Nigeria, where freedom of assembly, expression, and dissent are fundamental rights.
“But Nigeria is a country that follows the rule of law. No one can tolerate the thuggish actions of fringe members and those who support them.
“While the government continues to work hard through various reform programs and initiatives to solve the difficulties confronting Nigeria and Nigerians, it is important to remember that no nation tolerates foreign involvement in its domestic affairs or those of its citizens. Nigeria is not the exception.
“The government would take appropriate measures against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is discovered to have directly or indirectly supported the demonstrators through any means or attempted to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.
“Nigeria values the positive relationships with your countries and organisations and will not undermine or take them for granted.” Indeed, more than ever before, we ask for your understanding and support in the Federal Government’s continuous efforts to address the country’s economic issues and provide a better life for every Nigerian at home and abroad.”
Also addressing the Diplomatic corps, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government respects the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, which are cornerstones of all democratic societies, but emphasised that what began as a peaceful protest in some states and the Federal Capital Territory, was soon hijacked by elements who infiltrated the protest and orchestrated violent activities that destroyed lives and property.
He stated, “There have been reports of arson, vandalism, looting, and clashes with law enforcement agents in several cities.” Tragically, these occurrences resulted in the loss of innocent lives and extensive property damage.
“In reaction to these unexpected occurrences, the federal government moved quickly to restore peace and order. It is critical to note that security forces were directed to handle civil protests with extreme restraint and in accordance with international standards.
“In the last week, they have worked hard to safeguard the safety and order of all law-abiding Nigerians. However, they have been decisive in their response to criminality, which should not be confused with their commendable approach to legitimate protests,” he said.
He told the Diplomatic Community that the administration’s principal aim was not to impose hardship on Nigerians, but rather to remedy previous faulty policies and dysfunctional choices.
He said President Tinubu is determined to implement reforms that would drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for all citizens, stressing that the current challenges are only temporary.
“It is important to kick off on this note: that President Tinubu did not come to office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians. He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.
“The President assumed office during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods in its history, where the country was spending 97% of all its revenue on debt service; coupled with widespread poverty, rising unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity. Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took decisive action and implemented long-overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse,” he said.
The Minister said for decades, the costly, wasteful and unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had denied Nigeria the opportunity to invest in critical infrastructure, social service, and the welfare of its citizens hence the President took a very painful decision to abolish the fuel subsidy and redirect the funds towards critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security, which directly impact citizens’ well-being and the development of the country.
He said the President was not under any illusion that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of foreign exchange rates would not come with some transitional pains – situation that informed the decision of the Federal Government to design comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains.
“We have been very determined about ensuring that these interventions are fully implemented, and bring the intended relief to Nigerians,” he told me.
Idris, while informing the Diplomatic Community that the worst is gone, stated that the Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the violence that transpired during the protest in order to identify and prosecute all those responsible.
“We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future,” according to him.