If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise. – Robert Fritz

Mixed reactions trailed the 4-days working visit of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America. The presidency and ruling party said the visit was successful while the opposition insisted that the president embarrassed the country in America.

“….American leaders have been known to be fairly parsimonious with praises, particularly when talking about leaders of other countries. But Obama was effusive. He described President Buhari as a man of integrity, needed for such a time like this in Nigeria,……..the destiny of the continent was tied to Nigeria he said, pledging that America will continue to support, AS LONG AS NIGERIA DOES THE RIGHT THINGS(emphasis mine)’’. Femi Adesina Presidential spokesman wrote in an article Buhari; From Washington with dignity.

“..however, now that the visit has come and gone, our fear is that nothing whatsoever has been learnt or gained. What we continue to receive as a nation have been embarrassing disagreements, accusations and counter accusations, blames and denials on very important issues due to lack of tact and skill in the management of state matters by the APC-led government..this is not only embarrassing but also worrisome indication of crass ineptitude in handling of international affairs on the part of the present administration ’’. Olisah Metuh PDP spokesman said in a press statement in Abuja.

Beyond the usual cacophony of verbose exchange between the APC and the PDP, it is imperative for political pundits and concerned citizens to view the outcome of the president’s visit dispassionately from all dimensions. Unlike the invitation from the G7, President Buhari went to America without a “wish list’’. This may be attributable to the fact that the present visit was at the instance of the US president during the G7 meeting; Barrack Obama already knew the wishes of the Buhari led government. Security(combating the scourge of terrorism) top the Wish List. During deliberations with the Nigerian President, the US government raised the controversial issue of gay rights which the president responded without mincing word, that gay rights was a no go area, stating that it was against Nigerian Laws, values and culture.

America is the bastion of human rights and civil liberties, most of which are stated clearly in the First Amendment. Therefore it’s stand in advocating against the discrimination of gay rights is understandable. Laws are fashioned in line with norms and accepted values of a particular area and people. Homosexuality is a taboo in most (if not all) African communities just like polygamy is viewed as alien in the western world. Personally, i am indifferent to the issue of gay rights but i believe it is hypocritical for other nations to seek to imposed practices alien to us because it is acceptable to them but reject practices acceptable to us in their own domain.

Security of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of government as stated in the Nigerian 1999 constitution as Amended. In other to end the wave of insecurity in Nigeria, the Government needs to get sophisticated weapons to combat insurgents who are well armed. When the Nigerian President brought this to the table, the US government stated emphatically that they cannot negate the Leahy Act by selling weapons to Nigeria because our armed forces have been implicated in Human right abuses in the fight against insurgency. As disappointed Buhari later opined that the refusal of the US government to sell weapons and arms embargo to Nigeria escalated the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Buhari’s subtle implication of the US government went viral in both national and international media which led to a response by Sen. Patrick Leahy;

“….But rather than suggest that the United States is at fault for not funding MURDERERS AND RAPISTS (emphasis mine) in the Nigerian military, he should face up to his own responsibility to effectively counter Boko Haram. He should direct his attention to the Nigerian military, and the Nigerian courts, and clean up the units implicated in such atrocities…” Leahy said in a terse statement released by his office.

The American President had earlier told Buhari that they will continue to support Nigeria as long as Nigeria Continue to do the right things . Also note that America is the bastion of HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. Sen.Leahy called men of the Nigerian military Rapist and Murderers. Leahy was obviously wondering here why a nation that was quick to criminalise gays was relunctant to prosecute those alleged to have committed human right offences, hence his admonition of Buhari to look into the military and the court instead of blaming the US government . if you can also recall, Linda Thomas Greenfied, US Assistant Secretary General for African Affairs prior to the visit said that the US will continue to mount and sustain the pressure on Nigeria to repeal its anti-same sex laws which has now become part of the US foreign policy

“…As a government, it is one of the highest priorities and strongest values that discrimination against anyone based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong. We believe HUMAN RIGHTS (emphasis mine) should be available to all….so we are prepared to push this as a policy, not just in Africa but across the World’’ she said in the statement.

Finally, apart from Obama’s effusive affirmation of Buhari’s integrity, and an additional foreign debt burden of 2.1bn dollars to rebuild the North East where peace is still elusive, the trip to the US failed to address the most pressing need the new government is facing. Buhari should look elsewhere for the arms he needs because the US will only support him if he does the ‘’right thing’’ but from the look of things, Nigeria is not ready to give “human right’’ to everybody according to Linda nor is the government ready to prosecute those whom the US alleged to have committed human right offenses (Rapist and Murders according to Leahy). It is either we look Eastward or inwards; after all Necessity is the mother of all Invention.

Sources: The FCT Post - http://www.fctpost.com/2015/08/01/buharis-us-trip-no-ass-no-gun/

K

Yh

HI INTROVERT

Yh

He wasted money to go to US and do absolutely nothing.

Shortyy:
He wasted money to go to US and do absolutely nothing.

prove it

McEwen:
prove it

prove what? The "proof" is staring you right in the face

Nice and well articulated article.Buhari I know and trust will crush Boko haram as I have an unshakable faith in him.

US can keep their guns.

Let's keep our arses.

One thing is certain though,Boko haram will be crushed with or without the US.