John Kerry, United States (US) secretary of state, has assured President Muhammadu Buhari of his country’s support because Buhari “inherited a big problem”.
Kerry said this at the state house when he visited Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday.
Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, issued a statement saying that during the meeting with Kerry, Buhari pledged that the anti-corruption crusade in the country would be deepened and institutionalised to outlast the current administration.
“We will insist on the standards we’re establishing. We are laying down administrative and financial instructions in the public service that must be obeyed. Any breach will no longer be acceptable,” the president was quoted as saying.
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“We will retrain our staff so that they understand the new orientation. And those who run afoul of these rules will be prosecuted, no matter who is involved. But we will be fair, just and act according to the rule of law.
“Anyone perceived corrupt is innocent till we can prove it. We will work very hard to establish documentation for successful prosecution, and those in positions of trust will sit up.”
Adesina said Buhari appreciated the intervention of the US before the 2015 polls, demanding free and fair elections in Nigeria, and saying: “America did not do it because of what it stands to benefit from us. You did it for the Nigerian people. It tells so much what the U.S stands for in the world.”
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On the Boko Haram insurgency, he thanked the US for both hard and soft military help.
“The training and intelligence that we could not muster ourselves, we received. The training has made Boko Haram less of a threat to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region, while the military hardware has given our troops added confidence,” he said.
“Although militancy in the Niger Delta has impacted negatively on the economy and affected the positive intentions of international and local investors, government is showing restraint not to use real force except when constrained to do so.”
On the economy, he said that the focus of his administration was on the diversification of the economy having learnt our lessons from years of over dependence on oil.
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Kerry commended the courage of Buhari in fighting corruption, saying: “We applaud what you are doing. Corruption creates a ready-made playing field for recruiting extremists.
“You inherited a big problem, and we will support you in any way we can. We will work with you very closely. We don’t want to interfere, but will offer opportunities as you require.”
He also pledged to assist in tackling the humanitarian challenges in the north-east, adding that his country would get the UK, France, and others “to augment the support”.
“Nigeria is priority for us,” Kerry was quoted as saying. “We won’t miss the opportunity to work together, because you are making significant progress.”
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6 comments
sir the problem will be solved by the grace of Almighty Allah.
Can somebody please tell us what basket the Americans are weaving with the northerners? Kerry flew into Nigeria and went straight to Sokoto to meet the leader of Moslems in Nigeria. Then returned to Abuja to meet the nepotic President from the north. Kerry has a scheduled meeting with northern governors after which he will leave Nigeria back to US. Is something brewing that the rest of the country should not know? Wikileaks, CNN etc where are you?
Mr Kerry, the problem with Nigeria is the american and british government; there deceit, divide and rule system, greed and self-centeredness. No wonder Americans don’t want you as there president cos of your poor judgement, analysis and selfish ideologies. Buhari received a huge country with huge economy, judiciary, media, entertainment, aviation, agriculture, power, transport, export, etc on a platter of gold but wasted everything on reckless and baseless foreign trips and loyalties. For more than one year, Nigerians are only fed with complains, hear say, premature arrest, disrespect for the judiciary and rule of law, sporadic and guided killings, irresponsible and lawless force men, revenge, ……….. Please give us a break…….. Buhari should start working ( that’s why he was brought in ), GEJ never complained………..he worked hard.
Why are u sentimental? GEJ Starts working by stealing our money,by saying stealing is not corruption ,,,e.t.c
Mr kerry why did u only go to the north? I thought we also have some high kings in the south too Is there something hidden under the pot? Well we the southerners and southeast our eyes are stil open
Your comment.. My good people of Nigeria i want us to know that it is not written anywhere that our help will come from Britain or America, But I have seen it written in the word of God that our help comes from God. So let us look up to Him who holds our life and help together.Because the word of God didn’t say we should pray to our father who art in Aso Rock, Britain or in America.