The federal government has said that the United Kingdom (UK) parliament cannot speak for its government, following reports claiming that the lawmakers have proposed sanctions for Nigerian government officials over the recent #EndSARS protests.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, while fielding questions from State House reporters on Wednesday after the virtual cabinet meeting, said Nigeria had communicated the events surrounding the protest to the government of the UK.
According to Onyeama, the reported debate and the alleged threatened sanctions were at the level of the parliament, saying the parliament does not speak for the UK government.
“On the issue of UK Parliament, yes, we have reached out to the UK government. The meeting that took place were Parliamentarians and don’t speak for U.K. 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 with them and of course as in any democracy, the members of parliament are also able to air their views.
“But what is important is that balanced picture is made available to them before they take any decision,” he said.
Onyema and the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, had earlier briefed the council on the engagements with stakeholders in their respective States of Enugu and Taraba as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari after the recent #EndSARS protests.
