Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhomehas disclosed that former US President Barack Obama’s 2015 video broadcast ahead of the election, violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Ozekhome who reacted to former President Goodluck Jonathan claims that Obama’s video broadcast to Nigerians days before the presidential election was instrumental in his defeat, stated that Obama’s alleged interference in the 2015 presidential poll, coupled with his support for gay marriage, made the former US President lose his popularity among Nigerians.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria who was asked by Punch if Obama’s 2015 video broadcast and Kerry’s visit during the period amounted to interference in the elections by the US, said;
“Sure. They were not just body language; they were clear indications as to their preference.
“It was a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty. It amounted to undue interference in our internal affairs. We all watched Kerry’s activities when he came to Nigeria; his nocturnal and open meetings with the opposition party and spite for then ruling party.
“It’s one of the main reasons Obama lost huge goodwill and love from the Nigerian people, when added to his open, unnatural and support for gay marriage.”
However another SAN, Prof Kayinsola Ajayi said;
“It is true, yes. But do we not owe ourselves the truth as children of one God who want good governance?”
Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Wahab Shittu, who also reacted to same question said Obama and Kerry did no wrong.
“The US is among the guardians of democracy and democratic traditions all over the world.
“To that extent, the US is only interested in the preservation of democratic traditions everywhere in the world.
“So, what Obama did was in furtherance of the fundamentals of democratic traditions and it does not constitute an interference in the domestic affairs of Nigeria” he said.
