President Muhammadu Buhari has told a delegation of Special Envoy from the Republic of Chad, led by the Transitional President of Chad, General Mahamat Idris Derby, that the stability of the West African nation is in the interest of Nigeria.
Newsonline reports that President Buhari stated that common sense made it extremely important that Nigeria be interested in the stability of Chad Republic, as it was in the country’s interest.
President Buhari stated this on Friday, at State House, Abuja, while speaking to the Special Envoy delegation led by Transitional President of Chad, General Mahamat Idris Derby, who will be having a Sovereign National Dialogue on August 20.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Femi Adesina, Buhari called for respect of the outcome of the national dialogue.
The Special Envoy, Mr Brah Mahamat Dallah,promised that “the outcome would be respected, and not tampered with.”
President Buhari said relations between Nigeria and Chad transcended that of neighbors, as the late President, Marshal Idris Derby Itno “kept me constantly briefed on developments in the country.”
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Speaking further on the virtues of good neighborliness, the President said “common sense makes it extremely important that we be interested in the stability of Chad Republic, as it is in our own interest.
“We are genuinely concerned, and I am sincerely impressed with the leadership of the country in stabilizing the polity.
“It was the belief in good neighborliness that made me first visit Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon, and Benin Republic when I came in 2015. The more exclusion we create, the more we endanger present and future generations of our countries.”
President Buhari said he would “keep an ear to the ground, monitor developments closely,” as Chadians hold the National Dialogue, and offered the support of Nigeria in any form required.
The Special Envoy, who is also the country’s Minister of Public Works, extolled the long relationship between Nigeria and Chad, and indicated that over 99% of Chadians were interested in, and taking part in the National Dialogue, including main rebel groups.
He said the parley was sovereign, and the conclusions would be scrupulously implemented.
“We need the support of Nigeria during and after the event,” he added.
