Jonathan to Obama: Nigeria'll conduct credible elections in 2015
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday met with United States President Barack Obama in New York ahead of the 68th session of the United Nations.
Jonathan, at the talks, assured Obama of a credible elections in Nigerian come 2015 and canvassed a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible.
, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,.
Jonathan in his response to his host's remarks that Nigeria is a major stakeholder in Africa and needed to be encouraged to hold free and fair elections in 2015, told Obama that his administration would improve on its efforts in the 2011 general election by ensuring that the forthcoming ones are better organised.
He also applauded US for creating a paradigm shift away from crises ridden elections right from its independence
According to Jonathan, the relationship between the two countries has grown in various sectors of the economy, making Nigeria US' biggest trading partner in Africa. The Nigerian president explained that after the criticisms that trailed the 2007 presidential election that brought him and his principal then, the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to power, he had resolved to deliver a democratically elected government even if he was not favoured at the polls.
'We have had controversial elections between 1960 and 2011, including the one that ushered me in as vice-president. My administration promised to improve the democratic process and minimise corruption, nepotism. We delivered what has so far been adjudged as the most credible elections in Nigeria since our democratic experiment. We will continue to build strong institutions that will help consolidate the gains we have made,' Jonathan added..
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President, Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, both Jonathan and Obama condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jonathan said unless the international community unites and deploys its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it would continue to be embarrassed by outrages such as the heinous attack on defenceless shoppers in Nairobi.
He expressed appreciation for the support and assistance Nigeria had been receiving from the US in the fight against domestic terrorism.
Jonathan, however, added that Nigeria would welcome more bilateral collaboration in the campaign.
The President also said that his administration intends to strengthen Nigeria's relations with the US in the areas of trade and economic development.
In the same vein, Jonathan assured Obama of his commitment to the continuous strengthening of Nigeria's electoral processes and the country's democratic institutions.
He also applauded Obama's Power Africa and Youth Leadership Initiatives, noting that both schemes would complement aspects of his administration's agenda for national transformation.
Obama had while welcoming Jonathan to the meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, described Nigeria as a critical partner of the US in Africa.
He assured Jonathan that the US would continue to cooperate with Nigeria in all possible areas, including the war against domestic and global terrorism.
Jonathan's delegation to the meeting with Obama included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, and the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.
The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry and Obama's National Security Adviser, Ms. Susan Rice, were also present at the talks.