At times one really wonders what the foreign policy objective of the Obama administration is regarding Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa generally.
After frustrating efforts of the Nigerian Government to acquire military assets that would have tilted the course of Nigeria's war against terror against the terrorists, the US Secretary of State has the temerity to express 'displeasure' against the decision independently arrived at by Nigeria's electoral umpires, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to postpone the general elections on grounds of the rising insecurity occasioned by sustained BH onslaughts?
The statement contained in the Press Release by the State Department to the effect that 'The United States underscores the importance of ensuring that there are no further delays' should be totally discountenanced as unnecessary interference in the workings of our INEC. Let it now be known that there yet exists, under our Constitution, room for further extension if our domestic circumstances so demands. INEC is mandated to ensure that elections must be held not more than 30 days to the handover date of May 29 2015 - theoretically speaking, a further extension can be validly accommodated if INEC deems such necessary.
Is there veiled efforts to ensure the destabilization of Africa's most populous country and largest economy? And has the consequences of such vocation been well thought out?
Nigerians are committed to ensuring a free, transparent and credible electoral process within the ambit of our laws recognizing that the lives and safety of our citizenry is of paramount concern. As has become clear to all Nigerians in the course of our war against terror, Nigerians, and mainly Nigerians are the victims. We have to sort these issues by and for ourselves.
In these crucial periods, Nigeria needs the understanding and support of its friends, not veiled threats and ultimatums.
Nigeria will eventually prevail!
US State Department Press Statement on postponement of elections in Nigeria.
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/02/237290.htm#.VNdc7vL0thA.twitter
Picture: US Secretary of State, John Kerry {Listen, Nigeria needs understanding, not ultimatums}
No comments:
Post a Comment