FG Rejects Interference In Efforts To Address Challenges

The Federal Government says it will not tolerate foreign interference in its domestic affairs on various reforms and measures to address challenges facing Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made this known in Abuja, while briefing Members of the Diplomatic Corps on the Programs and Policies of the Federal Government.

Ambassador Tuggar, who was referring to the ongoing protest in the country said, the government would take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country to disrupt peace and national unity.

According to Tuggar “President Tinubu called on the organizers to be patient with his government, as it works to address Nigeria’s challenges. He urged them to understand that there could be no ‘instant fix’ to the legacy of decay that he inherited. He said that reforms by his administration were sincere and well thought out, and would succeed in the long run at creating a better platform for jobs, prosperity, security – and the stable democracy that Nigeria deserves. Rather than back down, the organizers of the protests promised that the protest would be peaceful, listed out the various venues to be used, and requested the police to provide adequate coverage and protection to ensure peaceful and crisis-free protests.”

“However, contrary to their promise, some of the protesters unleashed violence and turmoil in some parts of the country with wanton destruction of property and bloodshed leading to loss of lives.”

In an address at the occasion, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Tinubu Administration’s primary focus is not to impose hardship on Nigerians but to correct poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have historically hindered Nigeria’s progress, with bold and effective solutions.

In his words, Idris said, “It is important to kick off on this note: that President Tinubu did not come to the office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians. He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.

According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation “The President assumed office during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods in its history, where the country was spending 97% of all its revenue on debt service; coupled with widespread poverty, rising unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity. Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took a decisive action and implemented long-overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse”.

He said President Tinubu is determined to implement reforms that would drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for all citizens, stressing that the current challenges are only temporary.

Idris, who assured the Diplomatic Community that the worst is over, said the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence that occurred during the protest in order to identify and bring to justice all those responsible.

PR/Florence Adewale