By Obaike Odihue
The Federal Government has opened diplomatic channels with the United States as part of efforts to resolve the recent controversial designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
The designation which has a possible implication of military action against Nigeria by the US government was slammed on the country following allegations of genocide against Christians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the matter was discussed at Thursday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), noting that “We prefer that this situation is being solved diplomatically,”
Idris, while briefing newsmen on the outcomes of the FEC meeting assured that the Nigerian government was responding “to genuine concerns” raised by the US government with dignity and stability.
He said: “Yes, indeed, that came up during deliberations at the Federal Executive Council meeting. The government of Nigeria is responding to the genuine concerns raised. The politics of it aside, we genuinely are taking the issues seriously,” he said.
Idris reiterated that the President Bola Tinubu administration was handling the concerns of the US on religious freedom with maturity and confidence without losing a sleep, but placing optimal priority on the general security of all citizens.
“Let me say that the government of Nigeria is really very stable. The President is calm, and the Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm. Are there issues of security in this country? Yes. Are people being killed in parts of this country? Yes. But is the government doing anything to checkmate that? Yes, indeed,” according to the minister
Stressing that terrorism and violent extremism are global problems that require cooperation beyond borders, Idris said the Tinubu was
engaging the US and other international partners diplomatically on the thorny issue diplomatically.
“We have porous borders, and that is why we have cooperation with our regional partners and international partners, including the United States,” Idris stated.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a country of religious tolerance, where every citizen has the constitutional right to worship freely without hindrance.
The minister said: “The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the government of Nigeria. Our constitution guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance. The government of Nigeria is committed to that and will continue to do so.”
He added: “There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country.”
