President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by the Nigerian community in Cote d'Ivoire to immediately recall Mr. Damilola Abikoye, the country's consular officer in Abidjan, due to an alleged threat to diplomatic relations and misuse of authority that is causing them great humiliation.
This is stated in a petition signed by Lawani Waliou and Akinwale Tajudeen, the president and general secretary of the Nigerian community.
The Nigerian community in Cote d'Ivoire requested that the President handle the recall procedure quickly in order to head off any potential diplomatic crises and appease the ire of Nigerians living abroad.
The citizens claimed that the consulate officer had violated Ivorian regulations regarding foreigner associations by abusing his diplomatic immunity, and they expressed tremendous discomfort over the officer's behaviour.
The petition said: “In order not to escalate this matter to an irreparable level of popular revolt of Nigeria community in Côte d’Ivoire and to avoid a replay of Indonesia incident, where Nigeria consular officer was beaten black and blue by the country police, Mr. Damilola Abikoye should be recalled now. Mr. President is hereby advised not to wait till a request is sent to Nigeria for immunity waiver on the consular officer.”
The Nigerian community also advised President Buhari to direct that the current analog consular card be replaced with a biometric card in accordance with host country’s speculations.
“All other countries have been issuing the biometric card except Embassy of Nigeria simply because the analog Consular card has been a lucrative source of illicit enrichment,” the people said.
The Nigerian community, also asked the Nigeria government to direct Embassy of Nigeria in Abidjan to forthwith respect rights of Nigerians to association and management of their internal affairs, explaining that responsibility of the Embassy were purely advisory and be maintained.
“The right of Nigerians in Cote d’Ivoire to organisation of their association is sacrosanct, inalienable and must be respected.
“Embassy of Nigeria should recognise the legality of Communauté Nigeriane en Côte d’Ivoire (Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire) and by extension the Constitution of Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. A situation where a Consular Officer is making moves for the repeal of law that established this association is undiplomatic, embarrassing and a total display of diplomatic rascality.”