SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, (THEWILL) – The Moroccan government is recalling its ambassador to Nigeria after relations between both countries turned frosty following claims and counter claims by both nations that Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan was trying to use King Mohammed VI to boost his re-election campaign.
The North African Muslim country said it snubbed Jonathan’s request for a conversation with the King describing the request in a statement as “Unethical” and frowned at the timing. It said Jonathan was trying to use the King to gain political advantage back home.
However, in a statement on Sunday, according to a BBC report, the Nigerian government said both leaders “spoke extensively over the phone on matters of mutual interest and concern” and denied that Jonathan was using the King to win over Muslim voters in Nigeria.
President Jonathan, a Christian from Southern Nigeria and his main challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from Northern Nigeria are running neck-to-neck with the presidential election just about 18 days away.
On Tuesday, the Moroccan foreign ministry issued another statement announcing the recall of its ambassador.
“Contrary to the allegations made by Nigerian authorities to the ambassador of HM the King in Abuja and local media, the Kingdom of Morocco confirms, in the clearest and strongest terms, that there has never been a phone conversation between HM King Mohammed VI and the President of this country.
“HM the King has actually declined the request of the Nigerian government because it is part of the internal electioneering and this country’s fundamentally hostile positions with regard to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.
“The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its astonishment and denunciation to these unethical practices that are contrary to the spirit of responsibility that must prevail in relations between States.
“Accordingly, the Kingdom of Morocco has decided the immediate recall of the ambassador of HM the King in Abuja for consultation”, the statement said.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Nigeria will recall its ambassador to Morocco in retaliation.
