Ahead of the 2023 general election, President Muhammadu Buhari has warned diplomats serving in the country to keep their focus on diplomatic assignments and steer clear of Nigeria’s local politics.

The President spoke yesterday while presenting Letters of Credence to four foreign diplomats at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The President had, last October, issued the same warning during a similar ceremony for 11 diplomats.
President Buhari, who welcomed the Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy’s Stephano De Leo; Spain’s Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel’s Michael Shual Freeman to Nigeria, said: “You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria at very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in early 2023.

“As you settle down in the face of these developments, it is my hope that you will also be guided by diplomatic practice, to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the general elections next year.”
The President sought the support of the envoys in tackling rising global insecurity, and the strengthening of communality.

“We are living in unprecedented times and with so many uncertainties, especially with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in global insecurity and the devastation of our environments caused by Climate Change, among other existential threats to our collective peace, progress and shared values.
Nations