Buhari full press statement On Bakasi Peninsula

Buhari Makes Statement On Bakasi Peninsula

President Muhammadu Buhari, says Nigeria will obey the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the Bakassi peninsula.

The Nigerian leader made the statement on Wednesday in Cameroon while in an interactive session with Nigerians living in the nation.

“Since Nigeria allowed the case to go to court (ICJ), and we lost, we have to abide by it,” the President said in response to a question from a Nigerian on the issue.

He told them that his administration would implement the Green Tree Agreement, which regulates the ceding of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.

President Buhari also vowed to expedite the safe return and rehabilitation of over 40,000 Nigerians in Cameroon, who fled their homes as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the oil-rich nation’s north-east.

In a statement released by a spokesman for the President, Femi Adesina, President Buhari stated that his administration would soon produce a more articulated foreign policy that would further strengthen Nigeria’s relations with other countries.

Patience And Vigilance

On the issue of security, the President said: “The defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and protection of lives and properties of Nigerians and all those who live in the country are top priorities”.

President Buhari assured Nigerians that the current security challenges were not insurmountable.

He said Nigeria was working with all neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, to fight and stand firm against all forms of terror and

trans-border crimes.

He appealed for patience and vigilance from Nigerians to ensure that youths were not lured into joining “misguided groups”.

“We are determined to end this callousness against our innocent citizens. We shall explore all reasonable options to enable us to bring this rebellion to an end,” he vowed.

‘The Future Is Bright’

Responding to a question on the voting rights for Nigerians in the Diaspora, the President promised that his administration would revisit the issue, which would require legislation from the National Assembly.

The President further pledged to do everything possible toward bringing positive change to Nigeria.

“Despite the numerous challenges confronting us, the future of our country is bright.

“You all know very well that your fellow Nigerians are resilient, hardworking and patriotic.

“These qualities have always seen us through our most difficult national challenges and they will do so now,” President Buhari stated.

The President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow, after addressing a joint press conference with his counterpart, President Paul Biya in Yaounde.

He is in Cameroon for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening collaboration between both nations in counter-terrorism operation and border patrol.

Read full press statement below.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE NIGERIA WILL ABIDE BY ICJ RULING ON BAKASSI – PRESIDENT BUHARI

Nigeria will abide by the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Bakassi Peninsula, President Muhammadu Buhari said on

Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

Speaking at an interactive session with Nigerians living in Cameroon during his two-day working and friendly visit to the country,

President Buhari said his administration would ensure the faithful implementation of the Green Tree Agreement, which regulates the ceding

of Bakassi to Cameroon.

“Since Nigeria allowed the case to go to court (ICJ), and we lost, we have to abide by it,” the President said in response to a question

from a Nigerian on the issue.

President Buhari, who is on his maiden visit to the country after his inauguration on May 29, said his administration had yet to articulate

a foreign policy for Nigeria beyond what was captured in the All Progressives Congress (APC) party’s manifesto.

“However we will make our embassies more efficient and improve our relations with other countries,’’ he said.

The President urged Nigerians in Diaspora to be law abiding in their host countries and told representatives of the over 4 million

Nigerians living in Cameroon to continue to live in peace and harmony with Cameroonians.

On the plight of some 40,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, who were forced to flee their homes because of Boko Haram terrorists, the

President said the Federal government would ensure their safe return and rehabilitation in the shortest possible time.

“We also have about 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and we have a programme of rehabilitation and reintegration

into the society for them, which involves providing shelter and schools to the displaced persons.’’

Responding to a question on the voting rights for Nigerians in Diaspora, the President promised that his administration would revisit the issue, which would require legislation from the National Assembly.

Later in a prepared text read to the Nigerian community, the President pledged to do everything possible toward bringing positive change to

Nigeria.

“Despite the numerous challenges confronting us, the future of our country is bright.

“You all know very well that your fellow Nigerians are resilient, hardworking and patriotic.

“These qualities have always seen us through our most difficult national challenges and they will do so now.’’

On the fight against Boko Haram, the President assured Nigerians that the current security challenges are not insurmountable.

He said Nigeria was working with all her neighbours, including Cameroon, to fight and stand firmly against all forms of terror and

trans-border crimes.

He appealed for patience and vigilance from Nigerians to ensure that youths are not lured into joining “misguided groups.’’

“We are determined to end this callousness against our innocent citizens.

“The defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians and all those who live

in the country are out top priorities.

“We shall explore all reasonable options to enable us to bring this rebellion to an end,” he vowed.

President Buhari will depart Cameroon for Abuja on Thursday after addressing a joint press conference in Yaounde with his host,

President Paul Biya.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

July 29, 2015