Nigerian Minister Warns Envoys Against Unguarded Comments Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has cautioned foreign diplomatic missions against making unguarded comments and unsolicited lectures on democracy as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.

The minister gave the warning on Thursday at a diplomatic briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy, has developments that carry regional and international implications, and urged missions to respect the country’s sovereignty and follow established diplomatic channels.

“As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. We would not look kindly upon unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy,” she said.

She assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to delivering a credible poll that will be peaceful, free, fair and credible.

The briefing was her first formal engagement with the Diplomatic Corps since her appointment.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for closer cooperation, stressing frank dialogue and mutual respect, and urged missions to route all official communications intended for the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies through the ministry.

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

She said the ministry would revive inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions to boost cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.

She reiterated that Nigeria’s foreign policy under Tinubu is anchored on four Ds – Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora – and that the country will continue to pursue strategic autonomy.

“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.

She assured the envoys of the safety of diplomatic personnel, families and premises in line with the Vienna Conventions.