Expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to tackle the multiple challenges facing Nigeria
U.S. 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.
