U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, " In Nigeria" to Meet Buhari, Jonathan

The  US State Secretary  Mr. John Kerry is "In Nigeria" an announcement  he made at World Economic Forum in Davo Switzeland that would travel on Sunday to Nigeria to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, respectively.

The meeting with the two leading candidates in the upcoming presidential election shows deep U.S. concerns about post-election violence in the country that is already devastated by Boko Haram insurgents.


Kerry will appeal to Jonathan and Buhari to instruct their supporters to refrain from violence, said senior State Department officials, who briefed reporters Saturday under ground rules that they not be identified. Jonathan's disputed 2011 election victory triggered riots in the north that killed an estimated 800 people

Mr. Kerry’s brief visit is a departure from the U.S. policy that disallow its senior officials from visiting countries about to hold elections, to avoid the perception of supporting one candidate against another.

This is the first time a chief American diplomat is visiting the country since 2012.

Pres. Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, also confirmed his boss’ appointment with the U.S. Secretary of State.

Credit: Reuters/AP