Foreign ministry warns diplomats against talking to Buhari directly

The ministry of foreign affairs has warned ambassadors of various countries against violating the diplomatic channels of communication between them and the federal government.

Olusola Enikanolaye, an ambassador and permanent secretary at the ministry, gave the warning at his maiden meeting with the diplomats in Abuja.

He urged them to desist from orthodox and undiplomatic means of communicating with the government, “where some embassies communicate directly with the presidency and other arms of government rather than going through the ministry”.

“In saying this, however, we must hasten to note that some diplomats and some missions are in the habit of going above the ministry of foreign affairs in seeking audiences and engagement with government at even higher levels,” Enikanolaye said.

“I need not to stress that this is not what we know as diplomat it is clearly violation of Vienna conventions. The ministry of foreign affairs is the main means of communication between the diplomatic communities and the host government.

“I am aware that we need to put our house in order in the ministry. And this is what we are already doing by ensuring that we respond quickly, proactively to your requests to your note verbal.”

He vowed to take a very diplomatic review of any nation that thinks the best way to conduct business with Nigeria is not to go through the ministry of foreign affairs.

“We have served in your countries and we know what happens in those countries. Please I urge you to respect our rules, respect our laws, respect our channels of communication,” he continued, condemning the practice “where some nations write note verbal to the presidency”.

“I thought you all know that note verbal is the highest form of correspondence between the diplomatic nations and the minister of foreign affairs.

“You cannot address note verbal to the presidency. It is not done. Please I am appealing to you to desist from such an orthodox means of communication with our government.

“As regard to seeking audiences, please make you request known to our principal at least a month ahead so as to give room for preparation and respect for authority. It is in our interest and yours that we have sufficient notice.”

NAN quoted Enikanolaye as maintaining that the ministry and government would continue operating an open-door policy if there are issues of concern to address.