The President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has on Wednesday, stated that while debates on all matters regarding the EndSARS protests were allowed, the United Kingdom, UK, Parliament does not speak for the British government,
The Minister made the position of the Federal Government known, while addressing Reporters in Abuja.
According to him, the Federal Government is in communication with the United Kingdom, and has informed the British authorities of its side of the situation, especially as it relates to the shooting at Lekki toll gate, in Lagos, on Tuesday night, October 20.
His words: “On the issue of the UK Parliament, yes, we have reached out to the UK government on this question.
“The meeting that took place was of Parliamentarians, they do not speak for the UK government, and the UK government which acts for the United Kingdom, has also heard the side of the (Nigerian) government regarding everything that happened.
“So, we are in touch with them, and engaging with them but, of course, as in any democracy, the members of Parliament are able to also air their views, but what is important, is that a balanced picture is made available to them all, before they take any decision.”
Onyeama made the remarks in reaction to the call by UK Parliamentarians, for sanctions against top government Officials and Security Agencies, over human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings during the peaceful EndSARS protests, in October.
On Monday, members of the Parliament had asked the UK government to consider imposing sanctions on Nigerian Officials found culpable of human rights abuses during the demonstrations.