2027: Minister cautions diplomats against unguarded comments

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned foreign diplomats in Nigeria against making unguarded comments on the country’s 2027 general elections, urging them to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic processes.

Ojukwu gave the warning on Thursday while interacting with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, where she said the Federal Government was committed to conducting a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognised that Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest democracy meant that developments in the country could have regional and international implications.

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“Also, as the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided.”

“Recognising the fact that Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, and that developments in Nigeria have regional and international complications and implications, we would not look kindly upon unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy.”

According to her, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to democracy and to delivering an election that would be “peaceful, free, fair, and credible in all ramifications.”

The minister said the engagement with the Diplomatic Corps was intended to promote candid conversation, renewed understanding and stronger partnership between the Ministry and foreign missions accredited to Nigeria.

“This is because diplomacy functions best where communication is open, trust is mutual, and engagement is continuous,” she said.

Ojukwu assured the diplomats that the Ministry remained available to address concerns affecting their missions, describing the Foreign Affairs Ministry as their “diplomatic home in Nigeria.”

“Whenever you require clarification, whenever you encounter difficulties or have concerns requiring the attention of Government, I encourage you to come to us. Engage us, and allow us to assist you,” she said.

The minister also urged foreign missions to route official communications and requests to the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying this would ensure proper coordination, consistency and effective follow-up.

She said the Ministry served as the official channel between diplomatic missions and the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

“This is not intended to impede access or to create unnecessary bureaucracy. Rather, it ensures proper coordination, consistency, and effective follow-up,” Ojukwu said.

“Let me emphasize that the Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government.”

On Nigeria’s foreign policy, the minister said the administration’s approach remained anchored on the four Ds of Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

She said the policy framework placed Nigerians at the centre of the country’s foreign relations while maintaining Nigeria’s commitment to its neighbours, ECOWAS, Africa and the wider international community.

Ojukwu said Nigeria would continue to exercise strategic autonomy in its international relations, stressing that the country would pursue friendship and cooperation with all nations based on national interest, mutual respect, reciprocity and international obligations.

“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” she said.

The minister also called for the revitalisation of outstanding Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions between Nigeria and other countries, saying the platforms should be used more effectively to promote trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.

She further appealed to foreign missions to review their visa processes for Nigerian applicants, particularly lengthy waiting periods that she said could create difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspeople and families.

While acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, she called for greater efficiency, transparency and responsiveness.

On the welfare and security of diplomats, Ojukwu assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the Nigerian government remained committed to their safety and that of their families, premises and property in line with its obligations under the Vienna Conventions.

She also said Nigeria would continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes through its engagement with ECOWAS, the African Union, United Nations, Commonwealth and other international organisations.

Ojukwu said the Ministry would continue to work with foreign missions to deepen trade and investment, strengthen peace and security cooperation, advance education, health and technological innovation, and create opportunities for Nigerians and their international partners.

She said the true measure of Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships should be the tangible benefits they produced for the people, rather than the number of meetings held or communiqués issued.

“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold, neither will it be the number of communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve, and the friendships we strengthen,” she said.