U.S visit not jamboree, says PDP chieftain

Prince Abimbola Makanjuola, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in South- West yesterday, said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to United States of America with his delegation is not a political jamboree, rather a commendable move to foster a desirable change Nigerians are clamoring for.

“The visit is fine. Jonathan went and got something out of it. So Buhari should go and we believe he will get something out of it. So, I support his going to U’S, he said.

Makanjuola also added that in Nigeria when the President is traveling, he travels with an entourage which includes party affiliates, adding that Buhari is going with Nigerians who must definitely be of relevance. “When the President is travelling in Nigeria, he travels with a group of people which probably includes party affiliates. And since Buhari has not named his ministers yet and I think some of the people in his entourage might be prospective ministers and they might have one or two things to contribute.”

President Buhari will travel to the U.S on Sunday, July 19, 2015 accompanied by five state governors; Kashim Shettima (Borno), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Adams Oshimhole (Edo), Tanko Al-makura (Nasarawa), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

Also in the delegation are former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the former CPC vice presidential candidate in the 2011 presidential poll, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and former member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, Farouk Adamu.

Former president of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and publisher of defunct Democrat, Ismaila Isa Funtua, a former chief of army staff, Lt-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau and Halitu Sheni, a business man from Katsina is also in the team.

In addition to these delegates, President Buhari will bring along top civil servants, representatives from the office of the national security adviser, and representatives from the business community and foreign affairs.

 According to the President’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the official visit will strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West Africa.

 Adesina added that the President’s talks with Obama will centre on security, war against terrorism as well as trade and economic relations.

 “The President will alter hold further discussions with the Chair of the U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martins Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert Work on military and defense cooperation.

He said Buhari will also meet with vice president, Joe Bidden and confer with the U.S Attorney-General, Lorreta Lynch, the U.S Secretary of Treasury, Jack Lew, the US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and the US trade representative, Micheal Froman on U.S support for his administration’s war against corruption as well as fresh measures to boost Nigeria-U.S trade relations,”Adesina also informed.

Adesina also disclosed Mr. President will address United States Chamber of Commerce and Cooperate Council for Africa before leaving Washington DC.

President Buhari is due to return to Nigeria on Thursday July 23.