A former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has met with President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss possible, effective and lasting solutions to the present security challenges.
The meeting, held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital, was said to be on the invitation of President Jonathan.
It is coming barely two days, after the former President commended the efforts of the Federal and Lagos State governments in checking the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.
The visit may not also be unconnected with the comment attributed to Mr Obasanjo at the weekend on the state of the economy.
He was quoted as saying that “the present state of the economy is going the way of the Late Abacha’s regime, where the middle class was almost wiped out”.
While addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on his arrival from Abuja, Mr Obasanjo said that the meeting with President Jonathan was purely on security matters.
“Yes, I can confirm that I met with Mr President on his invitation.
“In fact, he had wanted to come down to Abeokuta, but as a sign of respect to the office of the President, I had to go. We had discussions on the country’s security issues and that is all,” he said.
Obasanjo, who appreciated the invitation of President Jonathan said he would continue to make himself available on national issues in the interest of peace and progress of the country.
Nigeria’s major security challenge has remained the acts of terrorism in the north, perpetrated by members of a terrorist group, Boko Haram.
They have carried out series of attacks on villages, churches, mosques, schools and public places, a situation that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in three north-east states – Adamawa, borno and Yola – where the attacks have occurred more.
Military operations have been on for over three years in the region to end the insurgency, but attacks have continued with the terrorist group declaring Gwoza, a town in Borno State, an Islamic caliphate few days ago.
The government dismissed the claims, saying it would not cede any of its territories to any group and that the military would continue to tackle the insurgents.
