President Muhammadu Buhari at weekend in Washington DC cautioned western nations against frivolous issuance of travel advisories on Nigeria.
He urged the international media to be more objective in its reportage of the country, even as he also advised western nations against being in a rush to eliminate the usage of fossil fuels in a bid to ensure a healthy climate.
The Nigerian leader spoke in Washington DC at an interactive session entitled, “A conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria’’, co-hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the International Republican Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
He told the international community that despite the non- nonchalant actions and attitudes of some of friends and allies, Nigeria is nonetheless winning the war on terrorism, making significant progress in dealing with the threats to Nigeria’s and the sub-regions safety and survival.
Buhari also called on the United States to do more to improve the quality of governance in the West African sub-Region, warning that the survival of democracy is being challenged in the aftermath of the democratic set-backs witnessed in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Contrary to what was obtainable when he assumed power in 2015, the president said no local government area in Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.
The president however acknowledged that Nigeria and the West African region have been negatively impacted by the events in Libya, Central Africa Republic, The Sahel and the war in Ukraine.
‘‘Our region is awash with small and light weapons that continue to seamlessly circulate as well as cope with the influx of foreign fighters,” he said, adding that Nigeria and other regional bodies in Africa and the rest of the world are working assiduously to deal with these existential threats to the very existence of humanity.
President Buhari commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Multi-national Joint Task Force, consisting of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, for demonstrating great bravery in the fight against terrorism, while paying the ultimate price in securing collective freedom.
‘‘Despite the difficult times we face, we continue to spend very scarce and lean resources to ensure that we have a well-resourced military force to take on this task.
‘‘Ideally, these are resources that could be spent on Education or Healthcare or other social services, but without peace we have learnt the hard way that our children cannot go to school or seek good healthcare.
“We are nonetheless winning the war and making significant progress in dealing with threats to Nigeria and the sub-regions’ safety and survival.
‘‘This steady progress is in spite of the negative reportage in international media as well as the nonchalant actions and attitudes of some of our friends and allies to sufficiently appreciate our efforts in the fight against terrorism.
“Rather than focus on negativity, which is what Travel Advisories have become, Nigeria, the sub-regions of Africa and the rest of the world can work more concertedly together to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism, both of which are challenges to global peace and stability and not just Nigeria and Africa alone.
‘‘Notwithstanding these attitudinal deficits from some friends and allies, Nigeria remains open to working with the International Community and other development partners, to enhance global security and stability.’’
Making a strong case that a secured and stable Nigeria is indispensable for the overall peace and prosperity of not only the country but Africa, with huge implications for global peace and stability, the president underscored the need for strategic partnership with the USA to fight common challenges, such as terrorism, climate change and entrenching democracy in Africa, together.
The president disclosed that Nigeria is on the verge of commissioning her new counter terrorism centre that would serve as a hub for counter-terrorism coordination and research in West Africa.
“Our efforts are driven by our Terrorism Prevention Act 2022, the National Counter Terrorism Strategy as well as the Policy Framework and National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE),’’ he said.
On the 2023 elections, President Buhari reiterated his avowed determination to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent national elections, whose outcome would be largely accepted by the contestants.
‘‘Since 2015, the conduct of our elections continues to steadily improve. From the 2019 general elections, the by-elections and the off-season elections in Edo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States were conducted in largely improved contexts to the satisfaction of contestants and voters.
‘‘That is what we hope for in 2023. Through the observatory roles of the International Community, the credibility of the elections can be further enhanced to make the acceptability of the outcome to the contestants and political parties a non-issue.’’
On democracy in West Africa, President Buhari said Nigeria would ‘‘aggressively work together to improve the quality of governance in the West African sub-Region where the survival of democracy is currently challenged.’’
He noted that this can be done through targeted investments that can enhance dividends of democracy and creations of robust means of livelihood for the people as well as promote accountability and transparency by the political class.
He said, ‘‘I call on all of you here present, to continue to partner with us and our electoral body, for the needed collaborative efforts which are critical to deepening and stabilizing democracy in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
‘‘The recent reversals witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea are most unfortunate indeed and ECOWAS continues to effectively remain engaged with these countries in order to restore democracy to all the Member-States of ECOWAS as indeed the entire African Continent.’’
President Buhari thanked Ambassador Johnnie Carson, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and his team for inviting him back to the Institute after the last visit in 2015.
Recounting his outing in 2015, shortly after he assumed Office, wherein he spoke extensively on the vision and the focus of his administration in the three critical areas of security, economy and fighting corruption, President Buhari said:
He noted: ‘‘I am therefore, exceptionally pleased today, that this stage which served as my opening act has once more presented itself as the curtains are almost being drawn, for the opportunity to share experiences and discuss the last seven and half years.
‘‘When I met you in 2015, I was not unaware of the enormous domestic and international goodwill that I attracted. Although I am a converted democrat, and not your run of the mill politician and therefore, less inclined to engage in double-talks.
‘‘My Advisers may not be happy with me in this regard. I am however, measured in speaking but always certain that the truth I shall speak and this has huge consequences in a political space wherein this is an exception rather than the norm.’’
Responding to a question on the readiness of INEC to conduct the 2023 elections, the president said, “INEC is ready because I made sure they were given all the resources they asked because I don’t want any excuses that they were denied funds by the government.”
… Restates Strengthening Of Democracy Through Credible Elections
President Muhammadu Buhari had once again restated his commitment to free and credible elections, saying that is the only way Nigeria’s democracy can be strengthened.
This is even as he expressed great pleasure in the conduct of Nigerians who have continued to excel in their chosen fields as they reside in the United States of America.
The president stated this at a presidential town hall meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora on Friday in Washington, as he rounded off his participation at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president assured them that the federal government will continue to watch their back in whichever situation they find themselves, just as he had recently given approvals for the evacuation of Nigerians who found themselves in harm’s way in Libya, South Africa, Ukraine, UAE and India.
President Buhari added that it was for that reason that Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) was established to facilitate interactions with the “ambassadors.”
The president urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of the country and live in peace among themselves and with their hosts as there can be no progress in disunity.
President Buhari expressed delight that the representatives were giving back to Nigeria as expected of them, urging them to do more.
He said, “It is gratifying for me to note that many Nigerians in the USA have continued to excel in their careers leading to some persons of Nigerian origin being appointed into the cabinet of H.E. President Joe Biden.
“Similarly, many have been elected/appointed into various responsible and competitive positions in the United States of America.
“I congratulate those who have brought honour and pride to our country. I thank and commend them for their respective successes as I equally urge them to demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility in order that they continue to remain reference points of excellence as they serve in this country.
“I understand that in 2021, our diaspora home remittances through official channels stand at Twenty Billion US Dollars ($20bn) which is four times over the value of our Foreign Direct Investment. In addition, many of our diaspora compatriots are actively investing in our Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Information and Communication Technology, Housing and Real Estate, Transportation, Oil and Gas, and other Services.”
“I must say this is most commendable and in our enlightened collective self-interest as only Nigerians both at home and abroad, can develop Nigeria. I am personally proud of you all,” the President said.
President Buhari, who told the gathering that it would be the last time he would be addressing them in a town hall meeting in Washington as president, assured them that the electoral process leading to the election of a new administration was going well.
In her remarks, the chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that the first diaspora meeting by President Buhari was held in Washington DC.
She eulogised the president for his continued support for NiDCOM and being always ready to meet with Nigerians anytime he travelled outside the country.
