"I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections," Buhari told Theresa May.
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the international community, through Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, of his willingness to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
He stated this in Abuja, on Wednesday, when he received May, who was on a visit to Nigeria.
Buhari expressed satisfaction with his party's achievements, stating that “the recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly".
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) on Wednesday, quoted Buhari as stating that: "I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly.
"Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder."
Speaking on the efforts to develop the economy, Buhari said: “We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as 37 dollars per barrel.
‘‘What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power, and many others.”
The president, however, thanked the UK for continuous support in the fight against insurgency in the country, just as he called for more support to ensure improved relations between both countries.
Responding, May affirmed that Nigeria must ensure cooperation with security agencies to defeat Boko Haram.
She said: “Security and defence cooperation are very important steps to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa.”
May also charged Buhari to use his position as ECOWAS Chair to eradicate human trafficking from the region.
President Buhari and Prime Minister May witnessed the signing of two agreements: Security and Defence Partnership and Economic Development Forum Agreement.