Whatever affects Chad, Niger Republic impacts on Nigeria, says Buhari

WHATEVER affects Niger Republic and Chad will have an impact on Nigeria and other countries in the Lake Chad Basin area, said President Buhari today, after receiving the Chairman, Presidential Council of Libya, Mohammed Younis Menfi, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

“Republics of Chad, and Niger, have extensive borders with Libya, and they are our immediate neighbours. Whatever affects them affects us. The stability or instability of Libya will directly affect us,” said the Buhari.

He stressed that the security of Nigeria is priority to him, noting that “unless a country or institution is secured, there’s no way you can efficiently manage it.”

A statement issued by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘ Why Stability Of Libya Matters To Us, By President Buhari,’ said Buhari expressed the delight that “the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya could personally attend the Summit of Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Chad and the implications for security in neighbouring countries.”

Adesina quoted Menfi as saying Libya was fast-evolving, disclosing that “we now have one government, active on the ground. We are expelling the mercenaries, and unifying the instructions.”

He informed democratic elections would be held in due course, adding that the historical relationship between his country and Nigeria in the areas of oil and agriculture meant that one country could not ignore the other.

“We aspire for joint cooperation, and reactivation of previous agreements,” Menfi said.