A former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had submitted that the Nigeria must remain united to tackle the myriad of challenges facing the country.

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while canvassing for people’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari as he address the nation’s challenges, while stressing that his personal relationship with the president remains very cordial.

Speaking  after an hour closed-door meeting with President Buhari, Tinubu, who was in company with the former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, emphasised that a concerted and united response was what is needed presently to address the various crises facing Nigeria.

Tinubu stated that, some of the ingredients needed to overcome the crises include “cooperation, understanding and determination, effective security and effective information.

He added that there is no president who will want his country in chaos asking: “Have you seen one? Point one to me. There is no one that will want his citizens exposed to banditry and danger.

“There’s no president or leader that will want his nation fractured by tribalism, religious differences and all that. It calls for serious management and serious evaluation and dialogue once in a while.”

While stressing that he was at the State House to dialogue with President Buhari on finding solutions to the various national challenges currently facing the country, Tinubu urged Nigerians to support the government in its journey to finding solutions to all national challenges.

According to him, the current discomfort being faced by Nigeria cannot be said to be peculiar to Nigeria but was quick to add that finding solutions through consultations and exchange of views and ideas on how to change the fortunes of the country should be collective and contributive.

He hinted that; “My visit is to generally review the perceptions going on outside there and equally focus on the security across the country more. The president will have more information than we have, but we are his ears close to the ground and we have to exchange views so that a better Nigeria is grounded. That’s all.

“The best way is what we are doing; coming together to reduce banditry, to move for unity and be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people. The welfare of our people is extremely important. And yes, every nation will go through this curves and difficult times. How we communicate it to the people, what are the areas to help make it easier for people to bear, those are ideas on how to be able to change the leadership of the country.”

On the perceived frosty relationship between him and President Buhari, the APC National Leader said they have continued to maintain a cordial relationship, explaining that he doesn’t have to be seen often at the seat of government.

“There is nothing like that, nothing like unhealthy. Who is our doctor? Is it social media that is measuring the relationship? I don’t have to disturb him openly on camera. No, we have so many ways to look at issues. We have nothing like that. We have very close and cordial, frank and honest relationship,” he said.

On the forthcoming 2023 general election and the chances of the APC returning as ruling party, he said: “I don’t want to predict that one right now, I don’t want to do that subject now. The chances are as bright as a midnight star. We’ll continue to work for a better Nigeria and that’s what we need.

“We cannot interject politics and assumption into everything, we have a nation to build, we have a baton to pass. You can depend on Buhari that he will not spend one hour beyond his tenure. He will do that, he will comply with the Constitution. So, how it happens? Read the Nigerian Constitution and find out from INEC website.”

The British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge on Tuesday described Nigeria’s security situation as massively complex.

Duddridge hinted that no partnership would resolve the multiplicity of the country’s problems, whether it is Boko Haram insurgency or a number of other issues.

He gave this hint while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

According to him “The situation is massively complex and no partnership is going to resolve the multiplicity of problems whether it is Boko Haram or a number of other issues,” Duddridge said.

“In the UK, you have a strong partner across the full gamut of issues. So, it’s not just about intelligence and hard security and military, it’s about societies, it’s about humanitarian support, it’s about education and development partnership.

“It is not an end game, we don’t get to a point where we would say ‘this is the end of our relationship with Nigeria’ because we got what we want, we set a higher bar, we’re long -term partners.” he said.

He said also recognised the role that Nigeria played in African, saying both Nigeria and the UK would deepen post-COVID-19 relations and work together to tackle climate change.

He also sought the need for both countries to realize the objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Earlier in his address , Onyeama had said Nigeria was dealing with very difficult challenges, especially the unconventional nature of the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism.

“It is asymmetrical warfare, and we’re dealing with very difficult situations. We have an intelligence fusion unit with our partners -the US, UK, France,’’ he said.

He said Nigeria was struggling with unemployment and high inflation level, but that the country was gradually overcoming the situation.

He applauded the British Government for all the support given to Nigeria to tackle her numerous challenges, especially in the Northeast.

Also, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who also received Duddridge yesterday, sought the support of the British Government to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Duddridge was at the National Assembly in company of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.

“We believe that our country, our government has to do a lot to secure the people, their lives and their property and this is the time that all our friends across the world need to support us, give us the kind of support that we need.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appealed to the international community to support Nigeria and the sub-region in tackling the growing security challenges to avoid spillovers.

Buhari made the appeal in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr Anthony Blinken.

Nigeria is in the spotlight over rising security challenges in all parts of the country including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and agitations for secession.

According to him, hundreds of people have been killed recently amid suggestions that security forces have been overwhelmed and therefore the need to seek for foreign support to stem the tide.

Though President Buhari did not give details on the nature of support Nigeria and other African countries need to address their security challenges, he nonetheless urged the United States to reconsider relocating the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa, nearer the Theatre of Operation. President Buhari said AFRICOM, which partners with countries to counter transnational threats should be relocated to Africa to strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation.

He said; “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.

“Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.

“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation,’’ he said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.

President Buhari also congratulated Blinken on his appointment by President Joe Biden and commended the United States for the decision to repeal the immigration restriction known as the “Muslim ban’’, re-joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The Secretary of State, who said he was pleased to make Nigeria part of his “first virtual visit to Africa,” noted that Nigeria and the United States of America, share a lot in bilateral issues.

He added that he would be delighted to build on the foundation that was laid between the two countries over 60 years ago, disclosing that areas of discussion with Nigeria would include “how to build our economies back after the COVID-19 pandemic, security for vulnerable communities and climate issues.”

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Monday night hinted that there is the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to support in order to win the war against the Boko Haram insurgents group terrorising the North-East geo-political zone.

He made this known after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him; “it’s pathetic” the recent attacks on Damasak and Geidam which saw hundreds of people fleeing the two towns for safety.

The governor said it was his duty to tell President Buhari the truth about the current situation in the northeast.

He commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the attack on Brigade headquarters, where many soldiers, men and officers were killed.

He said: “In Borno, particularly, Brigade headquarters was attacked, many soldiers, men and officers of the Nigerian Army were killed.

“Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased, may God, in His infinite mercy, forgive them.

“I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to Mr President.

“Let him know what is going on in the entire Northeast sub-region.

“I think there is a need for us to get support for us to succeed in this war against insurgents. It’s very pathetic. A few days ago, Damasak was attacked, hundreds of people started fleeing Damasak and now Geidam is almost deserted, many people have left Geidam.”

Asked to speak on the cause of the deteriorating security situation in his state, the governor said: “I think the military is yet to receive some of the equipment that they have ordered for.”