On Wednesday, Nigeria firmly reaffirmed its sovereignty, issuing a stern warning against any outside influence regarding the widespread protests fueled by hunger and economic struggles across the nation.
During a gathering with the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, articulated this stance. The event was attended by key figures, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and prominent senators and officials from the House Committee.
Recent reports indicated that some protesters in various states were seen brandishing Russian flags and appealing for assistance from President Vladimir Putin.
However, the Russian embassy in Abuja quickly distanced itself from these demonstrators, denying any role in orchestrating the protests. Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria would take decisive action against any foreign nation allegedly involved in instigating the unrest.
Tuggar acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s historical commitment to democracy, highlighting that the nation upholds fundamental rights such as assembly, expression, and dissent. Nonetheless, he condemned the unruly behavior of fringe groups and their supporters, asserting that Nigeria operates under the rule of law.
While the government is actively pursuing reforms to mitigate the ongoing challenges faced by its citizens, Tuggar reminded the Diplomatic Corps that no nation tolerates foreign meddling in its internal matters.
He declared, “Nigeria will not hesitate to take necessary actions against any foreign entities in its territory found to be directly or indirectly supporting the protests or attempting to interfere in our domestic affairs.”
Furthermore, Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining constructive relationships with other nations and organizations, emphasizing that these ties are of utmost importance.
He concluded by appealing for the understanding and cooperation of the international community in the government’s efforts to address the economic difficulties plaguing the nation, aiming for an improved quality of life for all Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
