Nigeria, Liberia to support Benin, Ghana others in forthcoming elections

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Liberian counterpart, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, on Tuesday said both countries will ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in five African countries this year.

They spoke at a joint press conference after a closed door bilateral talks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Buhari, who noted that with five presidential elections held within the West African sub-region last year, was upbeat that the forthcoming elections in five countries within the sub region would be successful.

Read also: Buhari receives Liberian President, Pastor Adeboye, Ooni of Ife (Photos)

“As we all know last year, security is very important, but we had five elections including our own in the sub-region.

“This year, we are going to have five (elections) and we hope that we will work together and make sure that the elections are successful.

“We are going to have one in Benin, Niger, Ghana and two other countries. What affects any of the countries in the region affects all of us.

“So, it is in our own interest to discuss and see how we can support individual countries with the elections that are coming,’’ he said.

Buhari also expressed satisfaction with the progress so far recorded by the Sirleaf-led administration and assured that Nigeria would continue to do its best in ensuring socio-political stability in Liberia.

Nigeria, he said, would jointly embark on rehabilitation of the ailing industries in order to get the economies of the two countries back on track.

President Sirleaf expressed her country’s appreciation to Nigeria for the technical and financial support offered to it.

Citing Nigeria’s intervention in Liberia during the outbreak of Ebola virus, she said the medical assistance received by her country from Nigeria contributed immensely in checking the spread of the disease.

“These supports had brought us peace, and enabled us to start the processes of reconstruction,’’ she stated.

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