There had been rumors and stories circulating that
President Buhari during his visit to the U.S. accused
the U.S. of aiding Boko Haram.
The U.S. have refused to sell weapons to Nigeria to
help combat Boko Haram.
The presidency released this statement denied
accusing the U.S. Of aiding Boko haram.
See below:
Persisting claims in the local and international media
that President Buhari has accused or indicted the
United States Government of helping the terrorist
group, Boko Haram are untrue and widely off mark.
Reports to that effect are an unfortunate
misinterpretation and distortion of the President’s
remarks at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
during his highly successful official visit to
Washington DC.
Indeed, President Buhari made it abundantly clear in
those remarks, copies of which were circulated to the
media, that he was convinced that the United States
could never support groups such as Boko Haram.
“I know the American people cannot support any
group engaged in these crimes,” the President clearly
stated.
The regrets expressed by President Buhari at USIP
about the impact of the application of the Leahy Law
on Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram and terrorism
cannot be construed as an indictment of President
Barack Obama and the United States Government
who have publicly and privately declared their
preparedness to give the Buhari Administration the
fullest possible support and assistance.
Within the context in which they were made,
President Buhari’s comments on the adverse effect of
the Leahy Law on Nigeria’s efforts to contain Boko
Haram’s atrocious acts of terrorism should only be
taken as a passionate appeal for even greater
understanding and support from a very powerful and
longstanding ally.
President Buhari has nothing but the highest possible
regard for President Obama, the United States
Government, the people of the United States, their
laws and institutions.
The President had very successful and useful talks
with President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden,
Secretary of State John Kerry, other high-ranking US
government officials and members of United States
Congress during his visit to Washington DC.
It is his expectation that those talks will lead to better
mutual understanding and a further deepening of
bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United
States, especially in Nigeria’s current priority areas of
defence and security cooperation.