2019 Election: Buhari warns US, UK, says Nigeria won't allow any foreign interference

In a consequent and apparent reaction to comments made by some foreign countries including the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (U.S.A.) and the European Union, over the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned against foreign interference into the nation’s affairs, capable of creating apprehension in the country as regards the outcomes of the nation’s electoral process.

This is contained in a statement issued by senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, January 26.

The statement said that the federal government condemned “any interference or perception management that promotes apprehension, citizens distrust or undermines the transparency and acceptability of the outcomes of our electoral process.

“Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs and commends international laws, customs and norms that mandate and require nations and the comity to respect this prerogative to all.

“Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources needed to accomplish our desire and insistence on free and fair elections’’.

“the government had ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to perform their functions in a manner that is transparent, and not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs.

“Although the question of foreign interference, whether state sponsored, promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the process,” it said.

The government enjoined the citizens to confidently exercise their franchise in an orderly manner with the assurance of the federal government to their security during and after the electoral process.

The statement further reiterated the readiness of the nation’s security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by elements within or from outside the country.