Politics
ANYAOKU TO NIGERIAN GOVT: Don’t ignore the views of US, UK, others
Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, has admonished the Nigerian government to respect the views of the US, UK, EU and the rest of the international community.
He said so on Tuesday while speaking at a symposium in Lagos organized by
the Nigerian Tribune, a newspaper.
“From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world.
“Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while of course guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community.
“Otherwise, the country would return to the pariah status which happily exited in 1999 when it once more embraced democracy,” Anyaoku said.
Read also: ‘I don’t understand what the noise is all about,’ Oshiomhole rants over US, UK charge on Onnoghen
He added, “Nigeria’s friends and the whole of the international community are watching. Watching the behaviour of federal government and its agencies, including especially the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the country’s constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections.”
Anyaoku called for vigilance over the impending general elections in Nigeria saying, “INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra States.
“But it must be admitted that it attracted criticisms for its conducting subsequent similar elections in both Ekiti and Osun.
“I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of our forthcoming elections will depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the people.”
“Indeed, the image and standing of our country within the international community will be significantly affected by how INEC and the Federal Government as a whole are seen to behave in all matters relating to the elections,” he added.
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