Afraid of being sanctioned by the United Kingdom Government over the handling of the #EndSARS protests which turned bloody in Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has moved to placate the British government to present its own side of the story.
The Federal Government’s latest position was coming as the United Kingdom Parliament passed a resolution calling for an imposition of sanctions on some Nigerian officials over their role in the “violent suppression” of the protests.
But, briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja in Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said though British legislators may not be legally binding to impose sanctions, Nigerian Government would use the opportunity to clear air on some grey areas over the #EndSARSProtestsTurnedBloody in the country.
According to him, “The UK Government has been briefed. There was a UK parliamentarian meeting and the UK Government, which acts for the United Kingdom, has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that has happened.
“So, we have been in touch with them and engaging them. As in every democracy, members of parliament are also able to air their views.
“What is important is that a balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision.”
Idowu Sowunmi
