Statement by GEJ regarding meeting with U.S. Secretary ofState John Kerry

The State House press release below...
It was a pleasure to welcome Secretary John Kerry to
Nigeria. We had a candid and constructive discussion
about a broad range of issues.
Nigeria is a vibrant democracy and the largest trading
partner of the United States in Africa, with more than $
18 billion in bilateral trade. Our countries and peoples
share a mutual admiration for each other and a deep
commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights.
This is why we are together engaged in a struggle against a
common enemy that promotes terror, fear, division, and
violates human rights, most especially of women and girls,
with complete impunity. Winning the fight against Boko
Haram in Nigeria and West Africa is absolutely essential to
beat back the tide of religious extremism around the world.
Our security forces have been working tirelessly and
courageously to achieve this goal. I reaffirmed for Secretary
Kerry that Nigeria is strongly committed to building the
multinational task force to fight Boko Haram in partnership
with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic under the
auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Indeed, I called
publicly for such a regional approach at the African leaders
summit in Paris in May 2014 and more recently in multilateral
meetings.
We are pleased that the international community is now
strongly united behind this initiative and agree that its
success is critical. It is equally important that the
multinational force receives the significant support that is
required to address the threat through our global partners.
The United States, more than any other country in the world,
has the most experience fighting armed insurgencies. And
having suffered the devastating attacks of 9/11, its people
also understand the insecurity and fear that is the reality for
the vast majority of peaceful, tolerant Muslims and Christians
in North Eastern Nigeria.
This is why I firmly believe that enhancing and expanding
various channels of cooperation between our two countries, in
the context of growing international coordination, are of the
utmost importance. I discussed a number of ideas with
Secretary Kerry to move such cooperation forward.
We are grateful to the United States for standing with Nigeria
and its people in our fight against Boko Haram. I reaffirmed
our strong commitment to working together with the United
States to put an end to global terrorism and particularly Boko
Haram. Nigeria will also work to deepen and consolidate our
bilateral relationship with the United States.
I emphasized to Secretary Kerry that I am deeply committed
to ensuring that our forthcoming election is free, fair, and
credible. It is especially critical that all political parties abide
by the Abuja Accord, which commits each to non-violence
before, during, and after the election.
I made it absolutely clear that the May 29th handover date is
sacrosanct. In addition, the Government will provide all
resources that are required by the Independent National
Electoral Commission to ensure that the election goes
smoothly. I also emphasized that INEC is an independent
body, which makes its own decisions without any interference
from the Government.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 25, 2015