The Coalition of APC Political Support Groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have decried the action of some Nigerian envoys who were recalled, but have refused to disengage from their missions.
President Bola Tinubu had in September this year recalled Nigerian ambassadors to various countries of the world.
The President had in the letter signed by the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, asked the envoys to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023 at the latest.
Country’s image
The Coalition of All Progressives Congress, APC, support groups, in press briefing in Abuja cautioned the recalled envoys and ambassadors to stop denting the country’s image abroad and return to the country as the President had exercised his constitutional powers in recalling them.
The groups alleged that some of the envoys were sponsoring media campaigns against the Federal Government and the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The press conference was addressed by Ambassador Rabi Garba Dangizo, Director General, Progressive Arewa People Support, ASIWAJU/Shattima, PAPSA, and Amb. (Dr.) Adewale Adeogun, Founder/National Coordinator, Asiwaju Progressive Forum and National Coordinator, Tinubu National Think Tank, TNT.
Undermining the powers
The coalition said some of the envoys were not only undermining the powers of President Tinubu, but were engaging in activities that were in breach of Nigeria’s security.
The groups expressed surprise that “what was supposed to be a routine Diplomatic Process has turned into a campaign of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, government officials and symbols of the country.
“We, the Coalition of APC Political Support Groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wish to register the dismay of our members on this show of shame being exhibited by some recalled envoys.
“We wish to register our dismay and outright displeasure on the uncharitable behaviour of a few that were chosen out of hundreds of millions to represent Nigeria.”
The groups wondered why the envoys, who were given till the 31st of October 2023 to return to the country, failed to obey the official directive.
Release documents
The groups also alleged that, based on their investigations into the matter, it was important to note that that the diplomatic officials who represented the topmost point of the pyramid of the exalted positions have not only engaged the country in a media war, but have gone ahead to release documents that flout the Official Secrets Act.
The heads of the foreign diplomatic missions were appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020 after they were confirmed by the Senate by section 171(2)(1c) and Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
But following the expiration of the October 31 ultimatum given by President Tinubu, some of the envoys failed to return as directed.
Lateefah Ibrahim
