Liberia won’t be on map without Nigeria – Presidency

The Presidency on Monday reiterated Liberia’s importance to Nigeria and the West African region.

President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to Monrovia on Tuesday for the country’s 175th independence anniversary.

Spokesman Garba Shehu noted that his attendance signifies the importance attached to the security and wellbeing of Liberia.

The Nigerian leader is the Special Guest of Honour at the celebration and will deliver an address.

Shehu said the trip to Liberia comes at a time when political instability and the return of coups-d’état have upended decades of democratic order in the sub-region.

With Liberia and Sierra Leone going into elections in 2023, Buhari will emphasize to them the importance of free, fair, and credible elections.

The President will also stress the importance of respect for rule of law rule throughout the sub-region.

“Peace and security of Liberia (and Sierra-Leone) is important to Nigeria given the enormous investments in men, material, and resources expended to secure the two states.

“Without the leadership of Nigeria in the context of ECOWAS to secure these two, there would not have been Liberia on the map in its present configuration today”, Shehu noted.

The presidency added that bilaterally, Nigeria and Liberia may bring to the table issues of cross-border terrorism, bolstering defence, and trade ties.

The statement said the warmth of the relationship and personal chemistry between Presidents Buhari and George Weah will play a key role in Tuesday’s event.