US Secretary Of State Holds Separate Meetings With Jonathan, Buhari In Lagos

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U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Sunday arrived Lagos for an official engagement.

Kerry reportedly touched down in Lagos about 1 p.m. and headed straight for separate meetings with Jonathan and the main opposition’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

Kerry’s visit was announced on Friday during an emotional speech in which Kerry warned of the dangers of Islamist extremists worldwide.

He had earlier described the attack on Baga as a “crime against humanity” while the United States has warned of the threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty posed by the militants.

A senior US official told reporters travelling with Kerry that the insurgency, which is increasingly threatening neighbouring countries, would likely be raised with both Jonathan and Buhari.

“We have been working very, very closely with the government of Nigeria to address Boko Haram, and I can say very clearly that no country has done as much as we have to support Nigeria’s efforts.

“And we would hope that both candidates will be able to address the insecurity and address Nigeria’s response to Boko Haram,” the official said.

The US official said Washington expected free, fair and peaceful elections in Africa’s most populous nation.

“This election in Nigeria is being watched by the entire continent and in fact by the entire world,” the official added.

Despite calls from some quarters that the general elections be postponed, the United States has pressed for the elections to go ahead.