President Muhammadu Buhari has said that
Nigeria will assist the Republic of Benin in conducting free and fair general
elections in 2016.
The
President made the pledge in Abuja last Tuesday at a joint news conference with
his Beninoise counterpart, Boni Yayi, after a closed door meeting at the
Presidential Villa.The
two leaders dwelt on economic integration, regional cooperation, and security
within the West African sub-region.
Buhari
who congratulated Yayi, who will be completing his second five-year tenure as
President of Benin Republic in February 2016, said, "Certainly, Nigeria,
using its experience of holding elections, will make sure that the election in
our neigbouring country has gone on smoothly and as humanly possible."Buhari said that Nigeria and Benin Republic have agreed to put in place fresh strategies to check oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea.
The President also promised to expedite action on the request by Benin Republic to link its power turbine with the West Africa Gas Pipeline. On the forthcoming 40th anniversary of ECOWAS, Buhari assured that Nigeria will host the event in the next nine days.
Meanwhile, the two presidents have agreed to intensify the on-going efforts to tackle the menace of Boko Haram insurgency under the auspices of the Multi-National Joint Task Force
In reaction, President Yayi said that his country was ready to contribute 800 men to the multi-national force, saying his men were ready and were only awaiting deployment.
Yayi, who spoke through an interpreter, said his country would always support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and corruption.
While applauding the leadership style of Buhari, Yayi pledged to always cooperate with Nigeria.
Source: Independent
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