President Muhammadu Buhari has warned diplomats ahead of the 2023 general election, to keep their focus on diplomatic assignments and steer clear of Nigeria’s local politics.
The President said this yesterday while presenting Letters of Credence to four foreign diplomats at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He had issued the same warning during a similar ceremony for 11 diplomats in October 2021.
Buhari, who welcomed the Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy’s Stephano De Leo; Spain’s Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel’s Michael Shual Freeman to Nigeria, said:
“You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria at the very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in early 2023.
“As you settle down in the face of these developments, I hope that you will also be guided by diplomatic practice, to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the general elections next year.”
He also sought the support of the envoys in tackling rising global insecurity, and the strengthening of communality.
“We are living in unprecedented times and with so many uncertainties, especially with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in global insecurity and the devastation of our environments caused by Climate Change, among other existential threats to our collective peace, progress and shared values.
“Different factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain alone. Matters of security have become the business of all the nations of the world to work closely together to build consensus to overcome these challenges,” he said.
