Why Nigerians should demand recall of Turkish envoy
Issues bordering on diplomacy and bilateral relations are considered highly sensitive globally for the simple interest of robust interactions on trade and economy for mutual benefits of countries and states. Contrary to the rules of engagement in diplomatic ties between nations, the Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hakan Cakil, has clearly shown that he lacks […]
Issues bordering on diplomacy and bilateral relations are considered highly sensitive globally for the simple interest of robust interactions on trade and economy for mutual benefits of countries and states. Contrary to the rules of engagement in diplomatic ties between nations, the Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hakan Cakil, has clearly shown that he lacks capacity to coordinate Nigeria-Turkish relationship as obviously recorded in recent times.
First, he lacked courage to advise his principal, President Recep Erdogan, on the independence of other nations as constituted in the provisions of the constitution on non-interference in political, social and economic matters of home countries by external bodies. Shortly after the July 15 attempted military overthrow in Turkey, the ambassador received a marching order from President Erdogan requesting Nigerian authorities to shut down investments and businesses owned by Turkish nationals resident in other countries averse to the autocratic rule in Turkey.
When the request was turned down, the ambassador paid an official visit to the Nigerian Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, where he announced to Nigerians that the Turkish government had granted free education to Nigerian students in Turkey. It was a deliberate attempt by Hakan Cakil to undermine the sensibilities of top government functionaries in Nigeria by attempting to sell a dummy to win the minds of government agents against the laws of the land. Then again, the same Turkey which granted scholarship to Nigerian students turned around to arrest and detain some for alleged involvement in the July coup because they are students of institutions linked to Fethulah Gulen, the man Turkey alleges is behind the plot.
Cakil has clearly shown disrespect to the Nigerian government, regardless of the existing relationship between the two countries that dates back to the 1920s, knowing very well that there are extant laws as provided by the constitution that must be obeyed. Concerned Nigerians should therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to demand for the recall of ambassador Cakil urgently, to purge the country of some ill-conceived plots to destabilize the peace here.
Nigerians are concerned about the increasing wave of infiltration by Turkish authorizes in the government of Nigeria, trying to be involved in the policy organ of the country against the provisions of the law. Therefore, the federal government should ignore all calls and requests from the Turkish embassy, stressing that the government of Turkey should go back to the drawing board to practice enduring and sustainable democracy to restore rights and liberties amongst its citizens. The massive ties enjoyed by both Nigeria and Turkey confer legitimacy to their relationship, which Cakil seeks to destroy, so he should be asked to return to his home country with immediate effect.
Uket writes in from Abuja