WTO: FG Shuns Confrontation, Buhari Seeks Back Channel Diplomacy |The Source

By Fola James

The federal government will engage the United States of America, USA diplomatically rather than isolating the superpower in her quest for former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to emerge Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO according to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The Donald Trump led American government on Wednesday said it will not back the former minister for the top job after throwing its weight behind the South Korean candidate, citing Dr Okonjo-Iweala as an inexperience trade negotiator.

Many Nigerians have described the US government position as racist and plan to further isolate Africa from the global space after it earlier opposed the emergence of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as President of African Development Bank, AfDB. Adesina, a former Nigerian Agriculture Minister later secured the position after riding on a broad support from the continent.

But the Nigerian government has disclosed that it will try to seek the support of the US through various diplomatic channels between the two countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The spokesperson for the ministry, Ferdinand Nwonye, said the government will try to seek the US cooperation before November 9 when WTO is expected to make the final selection for the head of the world trade body. The second round of selection was announced on Wednesday October 28 where Dr Okonjo-Iweala was picked in a consensus instead of her South Korean counterpart in line with procedures guiding the 164-members body.

Nwoye said ahead the November 9 D-Day “Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organization is realised.”

The magazine also learnt that President Buhari have been engaging both direct and back channels diplomacy to reach out to President Trump to change his mind on the issue.

“The president has been speaking with our friends in Europe and Asia to prevail on the US leader. We expect these diplomatic interventions to yield positive results in few days,” a top  ministry official said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said she will press on to win despite apparent opposition from the United States.

The ex-minister said she’s “Happy for the success & continued progress of our @wto DG bid. Very humbled to be declared the candidate with the largest, broadest support among members & most likely to attract consensus. We move on to the next step on Nov 9, despite hiccups. We’re keeping the positivity going.”