President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, says only God can effectively “ supervise ” the border Nigeria shares with the Republic of Niger .
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , the President spoke while receiving in audience former Vice President Namadi Sambo , who heads ECOWAS Election Mission to the Republic of Niger.
The statement was titled , ‘ President Buhari pledges support for polls in Republic of Niger, describes outgoing President as ‘ very decent man ” .
Adesina quoted the President as promising that Nigeria will give robust support to the Republic of Niger , which holds presidential and national assembly elections later this month.
He was also said to have applauded President Mahamadou Issoufou , for not attempting to tamper with the Constitution of his country , and elongate his stay in power , after serving for the maximum two terms .
Buhari said , “ I come from Daura, few kilometers to Republic of Niger , so I should know a bit about that country .
“ The President is quite decent , and we are regularly in touch . He is sticking to the maximum term prescribed by the Constitution of his country.
“ Also , we share more than 1, 400 kilometers of border with that country , which can only be effectively supervised by God .
“ I will speak with the President , and offer his country our support. We need to do all we can to help stabilise the Sahel region, which is also in our own interest . ”
The statement further quoted Sambo as congratulating Buhari on the successful return of abducted schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State , and also his 78th birthday, last week .
He pledged that ECOWAS would ensure peaceful and fair elections in the Republic of Niger, despite current political , legal, and security issues , adding that meetings were already being held with the relevant stakeholders.
