President Goodluck Jonathan says the May 29 handover date remains unchanged, dousing suggestions for a postponement of the elections.
In a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, President Jonathan gave the assurance, stressing that there would be no postponement of the general elections.
Mr Kerry arrived in the country on Sunday to speak with the presidential candidates of the two main parties – President Goodluck Jonathan of the peoples Democratic Party and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress..
President Jonathan was quoted by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, as saying that he had a candid and constructive discussion with the U.S. envoy.
Mr Kerry, in a meeting with General Buhari in Ikoyi, Lagos, said that the United States President, Barrack Obama, was interested in Nigeria, being the largest economy in Africa.
He also said that the U.S. was concerned about Nigeria’s security situation because of the threat that Boko Haram has posed in recent times.
Kerry has also appealed to the two major candidates to accept the results of the elections, whatever the outcome.
He noted that his visit was to show the United States’ concern for Africa and support for peaceful elections in Nigeria.
