‘We’ve Opened Diplomatic Channels With US’, Says Federal Government

The Federal Government has disclosed that diplomatic channels have been opened with the United States over Washington’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on religious freedom.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Idris said the issue came up during FEC deliberations and assured that the government was responding “to genuine concerns” raised by the US government while maintaining Nigeria’s dignity and stability.

“Yes, indeed, that came up during deliberations at the Federal Executive Council meeting. The government of Nigeria is responding to the genuine concerns raised. The politics of it aside, we genuinely are taking the issues seriously,” he said.

The minister emphasised that the Tinubu administration was not in panic mode and addressing security and religious freedom concerns responsibly.

“Let me say that the government of Nigeria is really very stable. The President is calm, and the Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm. Are there issues of security in this country? Yes. Are people being killed in parts of this country? Yes. But is the government doing anything to checkmate that? Yes, indeed,” Idris said.

He added that the administration was engaging the US and other international partners diplomatically, stressing that terrorism and violent extremism are global problems that require cooperation beyond borders.

“We have porous borders, and that is why we have cooperation with our regional partners and international partners, including the United States. Channels have been opened. We prefer that this situation is being solved diplomatically,” Idris stated.

The minister reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a country of religious tolerance, where every citizen has the constitutional right to worship freely without hindrance.

“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the government of Nigeria. Our constitution guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance. The government of Nigeria is committed to that and will continue to do so,” he said.

Idris assured Nigerians and the international community that the government was responding steadily and responsibly to all security concerns while keeping the country’s peace and dignity intact.

“There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country,” he said.