2019 ELECTIONS: Again APC tells US, UK, EU to mind their business

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) of undue interference in Nigeria’s electoral matters and asked them to mind their own business.

This follows similar calls by the Presidency and President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign group, as well as a threat to lives by the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El’Rufai.

The party said the Western nations should concentrate on Russia’s alleged interference in the last presidential election in the US; the breakdown of the Brexit deal between the UK and EU and other challenges facing them.

APC national deputy publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, stated this when he addressed reporters in Abuja on Monday.

He said, “In all elections conducted in the country, we have always welcomed local and foreign monitors and observers. In our view, this is a best practice and geared to ensure the transparency of our elections. But comments on our election processes coming from some western diplomats and accredited foreign observer missions have been downright meddlesome and tantamount to interference.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation and such actions by these western countries negate the principles of international law which outlaws interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation by another country.

“While the electioneering process might not be perfect as seen with the last-minute postponement of the General Elections, we must all work together to make it better.

“Statements and actions by these western diplomats and accredited foreign observer missions that erode confidence in the elections are inexcusable and strongly condemned.

“As a country, we will always find local solutions to our local challenges whenever they arise.

“The US, UK and EU have enough already on their hands. Their time and energy should be spent on the probe of alleged Russian interference in the immediate-past US elections, the breakdown of the Brexit deal between the UK and EU and many other serious challenges they face,” he said.

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The Presidency and Buhari campaign group have all attacked the western nations over alleged undue interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, accusing them of supporting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with their comments on Nigeria’s electoral issues.

All these are coming as Nigeria prepares for its general elections which was earlier slated to hold on February 16, and March 2, but now rescheduled to hold on February 23, and March 9.

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