Again, Buhari departs Nigeria, to deliver lecture on security in Liberia

President Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja for Monrovia, Liberia to, among other things, deliver an address bordering on West Africa’s security, free and fair elections and respect for rule of law.

Buhari will also join other African leaders as Liberia marks a Special Independence anniversary, commemorating 175 years of self-rule; making it the oldest independent post-colonial African State.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Recall that bandits on Sunday released a viral video footage showing terrorists—i ncluding an escapee from the July 5 Kuje Prison attack— whipping the remaining 43 of over 61 passengers kidnapped from a Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

In the video, the terrorists threatened to kidnap the President and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
But Shehu said “the trip signifies the importance attached to the security and wellbeing of Liberia and the rest of West Africa.”

The statement read in part, “On this day, Liberia marks a Special Independence anniversary, commemorating 175 years of self-rule, with the country being the oldest independent post-colonial African State.

“President Buhari is the Special Guest of Honour at the celebration and will deliver an address. The trip to Liberia comes at a time when political instability and the return of coups-d’état have upended two to three decades of democratic order in the sub-region.

“Liberia, Sierra-Leone along with Nigeria are going into elections in 2023 and President Buhari is expected to emphasize to them the importance of free, fair and credible elections.”

“In his address, the President is expected to stress the importance of the respect for rule of law rule throughout the sub-region. Without rule of Law and constitutional rule, there cannot be security, peace and development.”
Further justifying the President’s trip, Shehu said “Peace and security of Liberia (and Sierra-Leone) is important to Nigeria given the enormous investments in men, material and resources expended by this country to secure the two states.

“Without the leadership of Nigeria in the context of ECOWAS to secure these two, there would not have been a Liberia on the map in its present configuration today.

“Bilaterally, Nigeria and Liberia may bring to the table issues of cross-border terrorism, bolstering defense and trade ties. The warmth of the relationship and personal chemistry between President Buhari and George Weah of Liberia is no less significant and will play a key role in the events of tomorrow.”

The Liberia visit comes at a time when the Nigeria Labour Congress in solidarity with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities is starting a three-day protest to convince the Federal Government to listen to the demands of the striking varsity workers.