Foreign affairs minister ran off when asked Nigeria’s stand on Russian invasion
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, quickly walked away on Thursday when journalists confronted him with questions about Muhammadu Buhari regime’s stand on the ongoing military occupation of Ukraine by Russia.
Mr Onyema gave the reporters a consternated look before briskly taking to his heels, leaving the journalists confounded with their microphones and cameras hanging.
The minister’s actions underscores the Buhari regime’s refusal to join hosts of other nations to weigh on the ongoing dispute days after the United States, United Kingdom, United Nations, Kenya and other notable countries condemned Russia’s action.
Earlier, Mr Onyeama had said Nigeria did not have evacuation plans for its citizens in Ukraine because Russia President Vladimir Putin had assured that there won’t be war, despite amassing hundreds of thousands of troops, military equipment and medical aid at the border with Ukraine.
“The Russian government itself was saying they will not invade,” the minister said.
Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine on Thursday, drawing worldwide uproar as countries fear the move could trigger another global war. Mr Putin said he took the decision after Ukraine showed interest in aligning with the West and might soon become a NATO member.
Some foreign nationals including Nigerians are leaving the Ukraine’s capital after Russia began shelling.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
PDP unveils 200-member campaign council for Edo 2024 guber election
The advisory council has seven eminent members of the state.
Africa
ECOWAS moves to tackle drug abuse in Sierra Leone, other countries
ECOWAS said the workshop was also to support efforts to tackle drug abuse and provide resources and strategies for member states, particularly Sierra Leone.
Lagos
FG to resume resurfacing of Third Mainland Bridge: Official
She said that the exact dates for the renewed construction would be announced soon.
Agriculture
Gov. Makinde inaugurates cassava mechanisation production, processing plant in Oyo
He called on all stakeholders to support the project, saying its success depends on the collaboration.
Africa
Heavy rains, landslides kill dozens in Tanzania, Kenya
Mr Majaliwa, who disclosed Thursday, added that 236 had also been injured in the flood.
States
Fuel price hits N1,000 per litre as scarcity pervades Kaduna
While most fuel stations were not dispensing fuel, others increased their prices to between N750 and N810 per litre as motorists struggled to buy the product.