FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger

FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger

The Federal Government on Saturday debunked a viral report that the country’s Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Mohammed Usman has been expelled from the country.

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, urged the general public to disregard such news.

The statement read “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media that the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, H. E. Mohammed Usman was on Friday, August 25, 2023 expelled and given 48 hours to leave the country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that this information is false and as such should be disregarded.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria warns against the circulation of unverified information capable of jeopardizing the ongoing mediation efforts by ECOWAS in the political impasse in Niger.”

READ ALSO:

• Tinubu seeks US support for economy, accepts Biden’s UNGA invitation

• Awoniyi equals Salah, Adebayor’s Premier League scoring run

• Mbappe shines on home return as PSG outclass Lens

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu says war is not ideal for Nigeria’s economic reforms amid the tension in the Niger Republic.

Aguri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this on Saturday following a meeting between Tinubu and the US Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee.

Tinubu called on the US to deepen democracy in the West African sub-region through collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

He explained ECOWAS remained committed to exploring all options for restoring democracy in the Niger Republic.

“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging our diplomatic tools. Despite its readiness for all options, I continue to hold ECOWAS back to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms. War is neither ideal for my economic reforms nor the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct. The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to buy time insincerely,” he said.

A military junta truncated Nigerien democracy on July 26.

FG debunks report of expulsion of Nigerian ambassador from Niger