The Nigerian government has warned foreign missions against interference in the internal affairs of the nation.

The warning by the Minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, is coming on the heels of comments by the US and EU on the postponement of Nigeria’s general elections.

Addressing over a hundred heads of mission in Abuja on Ambassador Wali said the shift in date should not be misconstrued in a negative manner and advised diplomats to operate strictly within their mandates.

Unacceptable interference

At the meeting, which was the first since the year began, the Minister referred to various comments made barely 24 hours after the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift the polls by six weeks, saying “political interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs is unacceptable”.

The Minister assured the international community that the elections would be conducted as re-scheduled

“There is no need for the unnecessary comments by the foreign missions,” he said.

In that session, some diplomats equally complained about the difficulty by foreign journalists in getting visas to enable them cover the elections in March.

The Minister further assured the envoys that that over 300 visas has been issued to the foreign media as part of the nations commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy.

The INEC had on Saturday announced a shift in the general elections dates to March 28 and April 11.

The new schedule was announced by the Chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, after meetings with political stakeholders.

Professor Jega said that the Presidential Election would hold on March 28 while the Governorship election would hold on April 11.

At a press briefing after the last meeting for the day between Professor Jega and other top officials of the INEC, Professor Jega said that the commission’s decision was not influenced by any group or individuals.

“We have done wide reaching consultations to enable us have as much input as necessary before taking an informed decision,” Professor Jega said.

After the postponement was announced, the United States said it was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the decision.

In a statement posted on the Department of State’s website, the Secretary of State, John Kerry noted that “political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission” is unacceptable, calling on the government to “not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process”.

The statement led to the meeting between the Nigerian government and the foreign missions.