1.I am delighted to be here this morning, and I
wish to thank the United States Institute of
Peace (USIP), the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council,
the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the
International Republican Institute (IRI), and the
International Foundation of Electoral Systems
(IFES) for providing me with this platform to
share with this distinguished audience of
eminent personalities, my hopes and thoughts
about my country, Nigeria.
2.The think tanks that came together to organize
today’s event are by no means new to Nigeria.
Several of them and a good number of
individuals have, over the years, organized
meetings and symposia to shed light on diverse
issues pertaining to Nigeria. Others, like the NDI,
IRI, and IFES have for a long period been
partners in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
3.The contributions of the IRI, NDI and IFES to
the success of the 2015 general elections in
Nigeria are well documented. I would like to use
this opportunity to thank them for their
partnership and support to the democratization
process in Nigeria. Your doggedness, in calling a
spade a spade in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have
been greatly appreciated by us Nigerians who
are dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections
in our country. My appreciation also goes to the
CSIS, USIP, and the Atlantic Council for their
continued engagement and interest in Nigeria.
The unique perspectives and clarity you bring to
bear on your analyses of contemporary issues in
Nigeria are of profound importance to my
country. Thank you for the interest you have
consistently shown on elections in our country.
4.Naturally, being far removed from the arena
of action, and not being participants in the
events you analyze on a regular basis, has its
own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair
analysts. Let me illustrate with just one
example. In the months leading up to the recent
general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass
media and the policy community here in
Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a
chance to pull through. All over this city, the
common view held and frequently expressed
was of Nigeria on the brink.
5.As far as the critics and doomsday merchants
were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015
general elections. Nigeria was not expected to
make it. The general perception was that Nigeria
would be undone by violent and disputed
elections riven with deep ethnic and religious
divisions.
6.You all know what happened. Nigeria
confounded the pessimists and its critics. All
those who predicted the worst possible post-
election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark
by very wide margins, because the premises
upon which their narratives were based were
simply wrong.
7. The peaceful conduct and outcome of the
2015 general elections attest to the fact that
elections in Africa can be conducted in a free,
fair and credible manner, just like in any other
part of the world. Those elections were different
from previous ones, not only because citizens
were allowed to vote, but more importantly,
because their votes counted. I must therefore,
salute the patriotism and commitment of the
Nigerian people who conducted themselves
peacefully and responsibly during and after the
elections. Similarly, I must also commend the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), the civil society organizations, and other
non-state actors for their various efforts at
improving the electoral process and entrenching
the democratic culture.
8. I would like to seize this opportunity also, to
once again, pay tribute to my predecessor, Dr.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his uncommon
display of statesmanship in setting the pace for
Africa. His conduct and outlook in the aftermath
of the elections have further proven that the
African electoral system is gaining strength and
maturity.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
9.Important lessons are being learned from the
successful conduct of those elections. Our
electoral processes are evolving. Nigerians of all
political leanings recognize that there is much
work to be done to improve electoral
transparency and the integrity of elections. I feel
confident that, going forward, our electoral body
will apply lessons learned to improve its
processes, including the use of appropriate
technologies in the conduct of elections, and
innovative approaches to voter education. To
this end, I intend to raise the cost of impunity by
working with the National Assembly to
strengthen our electoral laws in ways that would
provide stiffer penalties against all forms of
electoral malpractices. The enforcement of the
laws would equally be given greater impetus.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
10.On the issue of terrorism, Nigerians have
lived with fear and insecurity for far too long.
The human and material costs of the insurgency
in my country and to my people are staggering
and unacceptable.
11.Defeating Boko Haram and finding a durable
solution to the underlying causes of the
insecurity in Nigeria are therefore a major
priority of the new administration. Nigerians
understand that terrorism stifles development
and undermines the stability of society. The
Government that I lead is committed, and will
do whatever it takes, to free Nigeria from the
menace of terrorism. No matter how long it
takes, we will reclaim every inch of Nigerian
territory that is under the control of Boko
Haram. We shall continue to do these within the
framework of the rule of law and in compliance
with our international and domestic human
rights obligations.
12.Let me emphasize that, as a Government, we
have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity
of the challenges ahead of us. We know that it
will be a long and bruising struggle, but this is a
fight we are in to win. Failure is not an option
for us. We do not contemplate it.
13.In the first week of my presidency, I visited
Chad and Niger to strengthen cooperation
within the Lake Chad Basin Commission
Members, the primary region of the Boko Haram
insurgency. Upon my return to Nigeria from the
US, I shall visit Cameroon on the 29th of July to
further strengthen our sub-regional efforts at
countering terrorism. Already, I have released
twenty-one million US Dollars ($21 million) for
the rapid take-off of the Multi-National Joint
Task Force. This is the force set up by the
countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission,
comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
plus Benin to jointly combat the insurgency.
14.We are confident that we will defeat
terrorism in our country and region, because we
have the will to win this fight. We will win
because we have the support of the Nigerian
people who voted us into office to do things
differently in order to secure them from harm
and provide for their prosperity and well being.
We will win because the United States and
indeed, the International Community have
pledged to stand with us in solidarity.
15.But winning the battle against terrorism
means we have to do things differently; after all,
the race for the future will never be won by
going backward or standing still. Winning means
we must change our strategy in a manner that
will prioritize the mobilization of maximum
capacity to fight terrorism, while ensuring the
safety and protection of local communities in
the frontline of the fight against terrorism. We
are also improving cooperation and coordination
with our neighbours and other international
partners to add depth and muscle to our overall
strategy.
16.In our efforts at combating the activities of
Boko Haram, the new Government has sought
and obtained the support of not only our
neighbours other international friends and
partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of
the Leahy Law by the United States on the
grounds of unproven allegations of human
rights violations levelled against our forces has
denied us access to appropriate strategic
weapons to prosecute the war against the
insurgents. In the face of abduction of innocent
school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate
bombings of civilians in markets and places of
worship, our forces have remained largely
impotent because they do not possess the
appropriate weapons and technology which they
could have had, had the so called human rights
violations not been an obstacle.
17.Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally,
the application of the Leahy law amendment by
the U. S. Government has aided and abated the
Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution
of its extremist ideology and hate, the
indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians,
in raping of women and girls, and in their other
heinous crimes. I believe this is not the spirit of
the Leahy Laws. I know the American people
cannot support any group engaged in these
crimes.
18.I therefore strongly appeal to both the
Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine
how the US Government can provide us with far
more substantial counter-terrorism assistanc
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