Nigeria's Ambassadors and High Commissioners have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent intervention over the eviction threat by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, from their official residences and offices.
Recall that, Tuggar was recently accused by the career and noon career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of alleged failure to ensure effective remittance of their overhead allocation for five months.
The Ambassadors had lamented that the failure of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Tuggar, to effectively remit their five months overhead, resulted in acute starvation and suffering by Missions and Embassies.
The Dean of Noon career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Nwannebuike Ominyi, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by his special assistant, Iduma Chris Mayor, said the foreign affairs minister Tuggar, should be called to order by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avert a crisis in the national borders.
The Nigerian Panel reports that the foreign affairs minister, Tuggar had in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Adamu Lamuwa, ordered for eviction of Nigeria's Ambassadors and High Commissioners from their official residences and offices.
But, Ambassador Ominyi has vowed to resist such eviction threat by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Tuggar, "The repercussions of this crisis have now transcended national borders, making Nigeria a topic of discussion among the global diplomatic community.
The statement reads in part: "At the heart of this unfolding crisis is the Ministry's failure to reimburse the Ambassadors for their return passages, a situation that has pushed the envoys to vow resistance against any attempts by the Foreign Affairs Minister to deploy junior officers to jeopardize Nigeria's image on the international stage.
"The contentious situation has captured the attention of foreign governments and international organizations, who are closely watching how this dispute unfolds. The plight of Nigeria's Ambassadors has drawn international sympathy and raised concerns about the country's commitment to its diplomatic corps, further tarnishing its reputation on the world stage.
"As this crisis continues to unfold, the unity and determination of Nigeria's Ambassadors stand as a testament to their unwavering dedication to serving their country. The Ambassadors' vow to defend their rights and resist any attempts to undermine their role in foreign missions is indicative of their commitment to representing Nigeria with honour and integrity, even in the face of adversity" he stated.
