Minister warns envoys against unguarded comments ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned foreign diplomatic missions against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. Addressing a diplomatic briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who views Nigeria as Africa's largest democracy, emphasized that developments in the nation have regional and international implications. She urged diplomatic missions to respect Nigeria's sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.

The minister assured the diplomatic community that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration was committed to democratic governance and delivering a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election. She called for closer cooperation between the ministry and foreign missions, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to diplomatic procedures.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged diplomatic missions to route official communications through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that the ministry's role is to facilitate, not obstruct, diplomatic engagement with the Nigerian Government.