The United State. President Barack Obama has met with Nigerian President
Muhammadu Buhari at the White House. The visit at 11 a.m Washington time, marks
the first time Buhari has visited the White House since being elected in March
in what was hailed as Nigeria’s first democratic transition of power in
decades.
President Barack Obama promised to do everything possible to
help President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed all Nigerians succeed.
He expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to tackle
the multiple challenges facing Nigeria.
He said his confidence in Buhari was as a result of the fact
that the President came into office with reputation for integrity and a clear
agenda to tackle corruption and terrorism as well as other violent crimes.
Obama said, “It is a great pleasure to welcome President
Buhari and his delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the
historic election that took place.
“Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in
the world; one of the most important countries in the African continent.
“Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition
to a new government took place. Nevertheless, the people of Nigeria understand
that only through a peaceful political process that change can take place.
“President Buhari came into office with reputation for
integrity and a very clear agenda: that is to make sure that he brings safety,
security and peace to his country.
“He is very concerned about the spread and the violence that
is taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear agenda in
defeating Boko Haram and extremists.
“I want to emphasise how much I appreciate President
Buhari’s work so far. I have seen him put together a team, so we can do
everything that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria
succeed.”
Obama also promised that his country would continue to
assist Nigeria in ensuring political stability in the country, Africa and the
world.
Buhari commended the US for putting pressure on the past
administration led by former President Goodluck Jonathan to conduct credible
election.
He said the free and fair elections conducted in Nigeria
would not have been possible but for the US gesture.
He said Nigeria would forever remain grateful to the US for
that action.
The President said, “The visit of the Secretary of State
before the elections to see the former President, the chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission and the opposition was a positive
trend that saw us through the elections.
“And the maintenance of pressure by United States mainly and
Europe to make sure that the elections were free, fair and credible made us to
be where we are now.
“It would have been almost impossible if the United States
did not maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian Government.”
Buhari was accompanied to the meeting by the governors of
Nasarawa, Borno, Imo, Oyo and Edo States among others.
