Govt cautions ambassadors, diplomats over unguarded utterances

• U.S. Consul-General, Falana, others urge violence-free polls

• Want release of Chibok girls

THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Wednesday said the Federal Government has declared as unacceptable the conduct of some heads of missions in the country who make unguarded utterances by interfering in its internal affairs.

  This was coming against the backdrop of reactions and unwarranted comments by some diplomats on the elections postponement in the country.

  Wali, who stated this Wednesday in Abuja during an interactive session with the diplomatic community, wondered why the heads of missions take on the role of government seeking to impose their views and perspectives.

  “Let me also seize this opportunity to express the strong displeasure of the Federal Government with the conduct of some heads of missions who have continued to behave in an imperial manner and in clear breach of the channel of the diplomatic communication.

  “A situation where head of a mission takes on the role of government, seeking to impose his views and perspectives and making unguarded utterances on matters that are strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of the host-country is totally unacceptable.

  “It is therefore unacceptable for envoys to abuse their privileges and immunities by behaving in a manner that would have been met with the opprobrium in their countries were Nigerian ambassadors to behave in like manner.

  Meanwhile, the need to ensure the conduct of violence-free elections and that eligible voters are allowed to exercise their franchise in the coming polls was re-emphasised at an event organised by the United States (U.S.) Consulate-General, Public Affairs Section, in collaboration with Centre for the Rule of Law (CENTROLAW) and Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos State Branch.

  Speaking at the event, 2015 Black History Month and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti Memorial Programme, on “Non-Violent Democratic Change”, the U.S. Consul-General, Jeffrey Hawkins, who was the keynote speaker, said that the event was timely as it came in the run-up to Nigeria’s elections on March 28.

  Urging all eligible Nigerians to vote, as “voting is one of the most powerful weapons we have in large, animated democracies like Nigeria and the U.S.”, Hawkins said: “It is so important to cast your vote. People have marched, been bitten by dogs and beaten by police and died to obtain the right to vote. When we have the right to vote but do not use it, we disrespect their memory.

  “We’re here to celebrate democracy in Nigeria and African-American History Month, which celebrates the heritage of African-Americans and their contributions to the U.S. society.”

  Also, guest speaker at the event and a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, urged all Nigerians to vote en-masse for candidates of their choice, admonishing all to vote for the right candidates irrespective of their religious backgrounds, ethnicity, tribe, sentiments or class, as these cannot guarantee the best leaders.

  According to Wali: “It is only in this country that I have noticed some envoys who have taken it upon themselves and without recourse to the government to embark on social causes and political advocacy that are totally unrelated to conventional diplomacy and representational duties of ambassadors.

  “Certainly, Nigerian envoys abroad do not behave in this manner.”

  On the election postponement, Wali told the diplomatic community that the decision of INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was in the best interest of country.

   He said the shift in the dates should not be construed as a postponement of the elections or violation of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

 Speaking on the conduct of peaceful democratic change, a representative of the Ransome-Kuti family and the first treasurer of the CDHR, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, said that to ensure violence-free polls, women must be recognised and taken along.     

  Ransome-Kuti, who decried the fact that the current leadership has been unable to secure the release of the Chibok girls who were abducted from their schools about 303 days ago, appealed to the U.S. government to help Nigeria secure the release of the girls as their parents and loved ones have been in agony since their abduction.