The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, has been told to suspend his planned state visit to Nigeria and prioritise addressing domestic challenges before engaging in diplomatic activities abroad.
Former South-East presidential spokesman, Denge Josef Onoh, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Macron is expected to visit Nigeria on October 28 and 29.
He argued that the French president should reconsider the timing of the trip, insisting that effective leadership requires leaders to address pressing domestic concerns before pursuing international engagements.
According to Onoh, proceeding with the visit while France faces unrest would send the wrong message about Macron’s priorities and his responsibility to the French people.
“True statesmanship requires prioritising the home front when the foundations are shaking,” Onoh said.
“President Macron cannot be seen playing global politics and chasing bilateral photo-ops in Abuja while the streets of Paris and other French cities are burning. You do not go structural shopping in Africa when your own house is on fire.”
Onoh expressed sympathy with the French government and citizens over the situation, noting that the unrest was painful for people who regard France as home or have experienced its hospitality, culture and traditions.
He warned that the crisis could threaten the social fabric that sustains France’s cultural heritage, urging the government to place its enduring national values above temporary political considerations.
“It is time for the French government to focus on enduring French values over temporary political values,” he said.
The former presidential spokesman also questioned the appropriateness of Macron’s planned visit to Nigeria at a time when the country is preparing for the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that Nigeria should concentrate on addressing its domestic challenges and ensuring that the forthcoming elections produce a leader capable of rebuilding the economy and restoring confidence in public institutions.
“Nigeria has its problems, and it is the sole responsibility of Nigerians to focus on and solve their own problems,” Onoh said.
He argued that the French president’s visit could become a distraction at a time when both countries should carefully consider their priorities, adding that France should first address its internal challenges before pursuing further diplomatic engagements.
To support his position, Onoh referred to previous occasions when domestic unrest affected France’s diplomatic activities.
He cited the postponement of a planned state visit by Britain’s King Charles III to France in March 2023 amid widespread protests against pension reforms. The visit was delayed as the French government faced mounting public demonstrations over the proposed changes.
Onoh also referenced the civil unrest of May 1968 under former French President Charles de Gaulle and the suburban riots of 2005 under former President Jacques Chirac, arguing that previous French administrations had faced situations in which domestic instability demanded urgent attention.
He urged the Nigerian presidency to consider the implications of France’s domestic situation for the planned engagement, particularly in relation to potential agreements covering the economy, energy and security.
According to him, Nigeria remains open to international partnerships but needs reliable diplomatic partners capable of managing their domestic affairs while pursuing cooperation with other countries.
“We love diplomacy, and Nigeria remains a premier destination for global partnerships. However, we need a French President who is stable at home to partner with us effectively abroad,” he said.
“For the sake of the French people and the integrity of international diplomacy, President Macron should stay in Paris, face the protesters, address their grievances, and reschedule his Nigerian visit for a time when France is not burning.”
Onoh’s appeal comes ahead of Macron’s expected state visit to Nigeria, which is aimed at strengthening relations between both countries and consolidating agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s previous visit to France.
We reported earlier that Macron is expected to arrive in Nigeria on October 28 for a two-day state visit.
The planned trip would be Macron’s first visit to Nigeria since July 2018, when he visited the country during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
It would also follow Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France in November 2024, during which both leaders discussed areas of mutual interest, including finance, energy transition, solid minerals, trade, investment and communications.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had said Tinubu’s visit was intended to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations between Nigeria and France while creating additional opportunities for cooperation.
Macron, whose second and final presidential term is due to end in May 2027, has maintained relations with Tinubu since the Nigerian leader assumed office in 2023.
