Okonjo-Iweala will be WTO DG - Nigeria stands up to US opposition

The Federal Government has declared its commitment to ensuring the emergence of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

The United States had announced its support for South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee.

In a statement on Thursday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye, said Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders.

He said the country will see that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the WTO is realised.

The government also made reference to the endorsement of the former Finance Minister by the majority of the WTO members.

“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured the support of the majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner. This is because apart from winning the election, all the 164 Member States of WTO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus, in accordance with the rule of procedure of the WTO”, the statements read.

The official stressed that it is important to highlight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala “has secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus.”

A meeting of the General Council of the WTO has been scheduled for November 9, 2020, for the final decision on the election process.