President Barack Obama has praised President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts at
working to bring “safety, security and peace” to Nigeria and Nigeria.
At a joint press conference at the Oval Office in Washington DC, 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.”
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.
