Morocco has withdrawn its ambassador from Nigeria after accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of using King Mohammed VI as an election campaign tool.
According to BBC, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Jonathan had spoken to the king over the phone. However, Morocco’s foreign ministry has denied that the phone call ever happened, and accused the Nigerian government of trying to use the king to gain favour with Muslim voters.
In a statement released on Sunday, Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry denied reports that President Jonathan had been snubbed by King Mohammed. “This information is absolutely not correct as the president did in fact speak to the Moroccan monarch… both leaders spoke extensively over the phone on matters of mutual interest and concern,” the statement read in part.
However, Morocco’s foreign affairs ministry also released a statement refuting the reports. Here is an excerpt:
“The king has actually declined the request of the Nigerian government because it is part of the internal electioneering. 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. As a consequence Morocco’s Abuja ambassador was being recalled immediately for consultations.”
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