President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday declared that the condition of Libya will always have implications for countries in the Lake Chad Basin area, including Nigeria.
Buhari made this observation while receiving the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mohammed Younis Menfi, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari explained why Nigeria may not escape the impacts of the events in the North African country, including the fact that both Republics of Chad and Niger share long border lines with Libya, and that these countries in turn share extensive boundaries with Nigeria.
He, however, noted that unless a country or institution is secured, it will be difficult to efficiently manage, adding that the security of Nigeria was the number one priority to him.
These facts were contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, which quoted Buhari as saying that “unless a country or institution is secured, there’s no way you can efficiently manage it”.
“Republics of Chad, and Niger, have extensive borders with Libya, and they are our immediate neighbours. Whatever affects them affects us. The stability or instability of Libya will directly affect us,” President Buhari said.
Buhari expressed happiness at the fact that Menfi, could personally attend the Summit of Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja on Tuesday, to discuss the situation in Chad, and the implications for security in neighbouring countries.
Responding, Menfi said Libya was fast-evolving, “and we now have one government, active on the ground. We are expelling the mercenaries, and unifying the instructions.”
Democratic elections would be held in due course, Menfi said, noting that the historical relationship between his country and Nigeria in the areas of oil and agriculture meant that one country could not ignore the other.
“We aspire for joint cooperation, and reactivation of previous agreements,” Menfi said.
