The Federal Government on Thursday summoned the Zimbabwean Head of Chancery over remarks credited to President Robert Mugabe, which depicted Nigerians as very corrupt people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Zimbabwean Head of Chancery, Stanley Kunjeku, in Abuja to formally lodge a protest.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Martin Uhomoibhi, described Mugabe’s comment as “vitriolic and denigrating on Nigeria and Nigerians’’.
“We were very concerned when we read that on the occasion of the 90th birthday of President Mugabe, he took off considerable time to vituperate about Nigeria.
He said Mugabe’s comments reflected “what we consider to be a strong aversion of our country, remarks which we consider denigrating and un-statesmanly on Nigeria and Nigerians in general”.
“He was reported to have said Nigerians are corrupt people when he hosted service chiefs on his 90th birthday.
“We want to present the strongest protest in that statement; not only does it not reflect the reality in our country, but to come from a sitting president of a brotherly country is most unkind and very dishonourable, ’’ he said.
Uhomoibhi said the Zimbabwean president’s comment was unfortunate, given the role played by Nigeria in the liberation struggle in southern Africa.
He said Nigeria had always stood with Zimbabwe “shoulder to shoulder’’ since independence and was one of the first countries to congratulate Mugabe on his re-election.
“At the point sanctions were imposed on your country, Nigeria empathised with Zimbabwe,’’ he said.
Later, the permanent secretary told newsmen that Nigeria’s reaction to the comment was not belated, given that it had been in the public domain since March 15.
“In our diplomatic parlance, we do not react the way people would want us to react; we have to verify and articulate our position,’’ he said.
In his response, Kunjeku said Nigeria’s protest would be forwarded to Harare. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I do not agree with the PS that mugabe's comment does not reflect the reality in our country,corruption is endemic in nigeria only that it wasn't coming from the right person,a man who thinks he's the best man to rule his country @ 90.
ReplyDeleteI totally disagree with the PS that mugabe's comment isn't the reality in our country,corruption is endemic in nigeria and slows down our growth as a nation only that it came from the wrong person who thinks he's the best man to rule his country @ 90.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with the PS that mugabe's comment does not reflect the reality in our country,corruption is endemic in nigeria only that it wasn't coming from the right person,a man who thinks he's the best man to rule his country @ 90.
ReplyDeleteThe quuen is the head of state in the UK why not tell her to retire?
DeleteThe queen is not a politician ok? She's a monarchy and does not dictate how the country is run or belongs to a party.
DeleteIf monarchy stops, nothing in the UK government is affected.
Just to let you know.
Mugabe said the truth. Don't shoot the messenger. Most Nigeria leaders are hypersensitive looters
ReplyDeleteWhether the man credited with the comment has moral pedigree to say that we are corrupt is secondary, the truth he is saying the truth. The Nigerian ruling class should change. Remember, if the head of a fish smells the body must be rotten.
ReplyDeleteWhy re we using net to cover our nakedness, let us call a spade, spade. 98% of Nigerians re corrupt...
ReplyDeleteMugabe should go and sit down when other are talking he tOo will talk.what has he done for his country for the past 27 year as the president.u can't even compare nigeria with zimb for anything and in terms of anything.
ReplyDeleteMugabe's comment does not,reflect the true reality on ground you bozos. Are you corrupt? Well if you have agreed that you are corrupt then pls know that i am my family are not.
ReplyDeleteevery nation has corrupt elements, Malaysia and china could have the worst in the world. That Nigeria is currently been used as a global scape goat doesn't mean it is reality.
Mugabe himself is a corrupt man.
The truth is always butter,
ReplyDeleteMugabe is the least qualified person on earth to say that we are corrupt. As undergraduates in the 1970s, we contributed money for Zimbabwe's liberation efforts. Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo and Ndabaningi Sithole were always frequenting Lagos to collect money and materials for their country. Then, we were not corrupt. Even, Ian Smith could not be this ungrateful. I think it is time we redefined our foreign policy. More ingrates are around the corner.
ReplyDeleteBut the man has made his point. If our ruling class feels insulted then,let's play by the rules! ( Umoh senen.
ReplyDeleteThis is an insult to Nigeria whether truth or Not it is unacceptable .There insults I can take from my brother but an outsider cannot go free. Shame to we Nigerians for a comon Mugabe to insult is publicly and we are swalloing it.can somebody come and slap with your wife in the open and you keep quiet just because you feel your wife is a talkative
ReplyDeleteWe must deal with Magabe and tel him to remove the log in his eyes before trying to remove from others
U pepl shouting Nigeria is corrupt, is peple like u when they had dat opportunities, dey will do d worst. Why should support Mugabe to insult ur country & ur government. Mugabe dat lack conscience. Despite all Nigeria is better than Zimbabwe. God bless Nigeria. Amen.
ReplyDeleteSorry for Nigeria
ReplyDelete