U.S. has helped Nigeria’s democracy, says Buhari
President praises Canada over assistance to IDPs
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed appreciation for the key role United States government played in the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.
The president said America’s insistence on free, fair and violent-free elections largely contributed to the deepening of democracy in the country.The President also acknowledged the humanitarian assistance of the government of Canada to internally displaced Nigerians affected by the insurgency in the north eastern part of the country.
The President said this while hosting the outgoing envoys of the U.S, Mr. James Entwistle at the State House, Abuja yesterday.His Canadian counterpart, Mr. Perry Calderwood who has also finished his tour of duty also paid a visit to the president yesterday.
According to Buhari, “U.S support before, during and after the 2015 elections was vital to Nigeria’s stability and I will never forget the role they played in the stability of Nigeria. We were lucky to have had an INEC Chairman who was competent and courageous.
“Mr. Ambassador, you occupied a position at a very strategic time in Nigeria’s history and I hope our historians will record this because it meant so much for our stability. I hope you write a book on your experience in Nigeria. The commitment of U.S in supporting Nigeria has been unprecedented,” the President told the outgoing U.S envoy.
Buhari also thanked the Americans for their military, intelligence and humanitarian support to Nigeria on the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. He said Nigeria also valued U.S contributions to promoting regional peace and stability through the instrumentality of the G7.
The President also commended the government of Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Nigerians displaced by the insurgency in the North East, and their commitment to polio eradication in the country.
He stressed the Federal Government’s effort to facilitate voluntary return of displaced persons in addition to ensuring that conditions in North-eastern Nigeria improve significantly before the next farming season.
In their separate remarks, Ambassadors Entwistle and Calderwood expressed concern on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the North East with looming reports of food crisis and malnutrition.
Entwistle said the bilateral relationship between both countries had remained very vibrant and cordial, noting, “I had a marvellous three-and-half years in Nigeria and I am grateful to have been involved in the memorable elections in 2015,” he said.
On his part, Calderwood conveyed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire to strengthen ties with Nigeria in Canada’s quest for partnership on international engagements, including its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, 2021-2022.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
2 Comments
[Buhari said the U.S insistence on free, fair and violence-free elections largely contributed to the deepening of democracy in the country.
“The U.S support before, during and after the 2015 elections was vital to Nigeria’s stability and I will never forget the role they played in the stability of Nigeria.
“We were lucky to have had an INEC Chairman who was competent and courageous.
“Mr Ambassador, you occupied a position at a very strategic time in Nigeria’s history and I hope our historians will record this because it meant so much for our stability.]
‘Course the US contributed in many ways towards the elections before and after and is still doing so by keen observations of things happening in the country post the elections! My concern is, in all of the praise and commendations nothing is said about the person who produced (tendered) the solutions used to achieve the acclaimed ‘outstanding’ results – i .e. the person whose efforts assured ways to deal with the perennial problems of elections in Nigeria, and it appears to have be relegated! Ironically there is the deliberate attempts being made to overshadow it in all manners of the administrative pronouncements regarding appointments in the Commission in Nigeria in spite of the owner of the copyright to reach out to the government to remind it about the injustice displayed so far about the concept of the ‘Option’ and its adjuncts!
To say that I have been legitimately advised to take out a suite against the Federal government so as to establish my claim on the copyright which clearly is printed on my book – “Nigeria – survival of disintegration” which bears the solution! To remind also that there are other solutions embodied in my letters to the governments 1988/9, in 1993 again on the 23rd Sept 2013 and after the elections on the 4th of June 2015 in my congratulatory letter to the Presidents and bears amongst other solutions the (TSA) – I called it need for a ‘common pool’ for Nigeria – the correspondence has not been acknowledged to date!
To say more that that there was an official letter from the Nigerian High Commission London bearing all these notes except the one dated 4th June 2015 delivered to the SGF in October 2014 for your information! I can’t have dome all these at the request of the Federal government asking for solutions from its citizens and the efforts ignored just like it is happening! To help you if in doubt, log onto: http://www.virgo-enterprised.com and you’ll see what I mean! It is not my intention to embarrass you Mr. President but I just felt this could be a way to call your attention to all my difficulties in attempt to reach you! From the contents of the website, I was able to solve part of the major Nigerian political problem vis-a-vis the nagging election problems in Nigeria! You’ll see Dangote’s proposal for concrete roads for Nigeria on the web suggested it to the Ministry of Works and Housing since 1983 copied the Presidency – also the AYA to Nyanya- Karo junction problem sent for the attention of the FCT Authority and the Ministry of Finance in 2012! Thank you.
Latest Promo News
We will review and take appropriate action.