Buhari Has Integrity, Clear Agenda – Obama

President Barack Obama yesterday praised President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts at working to bring “safety, security and peace” to Nigeria.


At a joint press conference at the Oval Office in Washington D.C., Obama said President Buhari had “a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists of all sorts inside of his country. And he has a very clear agenda in terms of rooting out the corruption that too often has held back the economic growth and prosperity of his country.”

Speaking to reporters at the outset of the meeting, Obama said the US hoped to partner with Nigeria “so that Nigeria ends up being not only an anchor of prosperity and stability in the eastern part of the continent, but can also be an outstanding role model for developing countries around the world.”
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 has been bringing 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 emphasize how much I appreciate President Buhari’s work so far. I have seen him put together a team so that we can do everything that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria succeed.”
Obama, who further promised that American government would continue to partner with Nigeria in ensuring political stability in Africa and around the world, also commended Nigeria for taking leadership position in the fight against the spread of diseases like Ebola and Polio.
The US president said he would discuss with Buhari how the two nations can cooperate on counter-terrorism and how the US “can be helpful in addressing some of the corruption issues that have held Nigeria back.”
Pressures From US Made Jonathan Conduct Credible Polls In Nigeria – Buhari
Meanwhile, Buhari has asserted that the continued pressure on former President Goodluck Jonathan by the United States and some European countries forced his administration to conduct free and fair general elections in Nigeria.
The president said this while responding to the welcome remarks by President Barack Obama before the start of the bilateral talks between officials of both countries at the Oval Office, White House, Washington D.C., on the second day of the visit.
President Buhari said that without the external pressure, “we would not be where we are today” in Nigeria, noting that the pressure started from the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, to the past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega.
He added that Nigeria would be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for helping Nigeria to consolidate its democratic gains.
On his trip to the United States, the president said he looked forward to a fruitful visit and engagement with his host government, while expressing delight that the US government had indicated interest in partnering and helping the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to bring to fruition its goals of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth unemployment.
US VP to PMB: Military Option Alone Can’t Win Terror
Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, yesterday shared with President Muhammadu Buhari some techniques applied by that country in fighting the war against terror.
At a breakfast meeting hosted yesterday by the US Vice President at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the American Vice President, Biden shared with Buhari what the US had learnt from the terror war.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina hinted that Biden counselled Buhari that victory cannot come from military option alone. Noting that military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, Biden promised that America would work with Nigeria in that direction.
America has had its own bad experience with terrorists, the high point being when they terror group launched massive attacks that killed thousands in September 2001.
In turn, President Buhari, who compared notes on the fight against terror with Biden, also shared Nigeria’s experience in the battle against Boko Haram which has caused carnage in the North-eastern part of the country.
The Vice President, who assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, observed, however, that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms.
He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.
Biden also congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the March 2015 elections, saying it was obvious that the president enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people.
Responding, Buhari who thanked the US for standing by Nigeria in the run up to the general elections early this year said the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry was critical, as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will.
On oil theft, the Nigerian President estimated losses at between 10 and 20 billion dollars, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others.
Adesina added that both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the meeting.