ABUJA
The Nigerian government has said that it was calm and not in any panic mode over the comments and threats of US President, Donald Trump on the alleged genocide against Christians in the country.
The government also said that it has opened up channels of discussion with the US and assured that it was committed as ever before to ensure that everyone is safe irrespective of religion or ethic background.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“The government of Nigeria is responding to to the genuine concerns raised and the politics of it, of course, aside, we genuinely are taking the issues seriously,” he said.
Idris further stated: “But let me also say that government, even before this events of the last few days, has been extremely committed to ensuring that Nigeria is indeed safe for everyone.
“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen, is of concern to the government of Nigeria. And of course, because our Constitution, and we keep mentioning this, guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance.
“The government of Nigeria is committed to that, will continue to do that, and wherever there is any violence affecting any citizen in this country, the government of Nigeria has indeed the responsibility to ensure that that is being tackled.”
On whether the the position of the United States is affecting the way government is being run, he said: “Let me say that the government of Nigeria is really very stable. The President is calm. Like we have said, he’s calm. The Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm. That is not to discountenance the issue. We are not saying that.”
The Minister further asked:: “Are there issues of security in this country? Yes, there are. Are people being killed in parts of this country? Yes. But is there anything that government is doing to also checkmate that? Yes, indeed, there are. Is government also responding to this? Yes, it is.
“But this is being done with the greatest sense of responsibility, while maintaining the balance that we require to face these issues head on.
“Now, to recap, yes, government is responding to some of these issues in a manner that will also reflect who we are as a country, maintain our respect and dignity as a country, and also welcoming the partnership that we so dearly need from everyone, international community, from within, to tackle this issue. Issues of terrorism, violence from extremist is not something that is just done by one country.”
The Minister said Nigeria has porous borders, and because of that it is cooperation with her regional partners.
“We also have cooperation with national partners, including the United States and Nigeria will continue to engage now.
“Have we had any discussions with the government of United States? Yes. Channels have been opened. We prefer that this situation is being solved diplomatically. We don’t want to escalate the true rhetoric you have said, we have said, and all that.
“The responsibility that we have as a government is to ensure that whatever genuine concerns that there are to keep our citizens safe, the Nigerian government will continue to do that.
“But there is not any panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily and in the interest of our country also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country of what the situation in this
“But let me say for the umpteenth time, Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion. So whatever you practice, whatever is your faith, our Constitution guarantees that you are free to practice that, and the Nigerian government will continue to ensure and will continue to impress on the security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are, and we’re going to also do more so that whatever concern there are, the government of Nigeria will take care of those concerns. “
