The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has met with some officials of the U.S. States Department led by the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee, in Washington DC.

This was disclosed via a statement made available to The Star on Saturday by Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.

According to him, Atiku met with the States Department officials on Friday to seek collaborative solutions to Nigeria’s local issues on democracy and governance, the country’s deteriorating security, and the economy.

Ibe added that the former Vice President secured the State Department’s commitment to support free and fair elections in Nigeria as the country prepares for the 2023 general election.

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He stated: Yesterday, at the meeting at the State Department led by Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary—Bureau of African Affairs, the focus of our discussions were on the critical need to seek collaborative solutions to our local issues on democracy and governance, our deteriorating security, and the economy.

“Most importantly, we secured commitments to support for free and fair elections in Nigeria, an announcement of a sanction policy before the elections to deter anti-democratic forces and commitments for continued partnership with Nigeria in areas of security and development.”

The Star had reported that the former Vice President arrived in Washington DC on Thursday for political campaigns ahead of the next year’s general election.

Other officials of the States Department at the meeting included Karl Fickenscher, Acting Assistant Administrator, USAID; Scott Busby, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour; Michael Heath, Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of African Affairs; Brian Neubert; Director Office of West African Affairs.

Others were Skye Justice, Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs; Toby Bradley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Christopher Landberg, Principal Deputy Coordinator, Bureau of Counterterrorism; and Stanley Brown, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Police-Military Affairs.

Those on the official delegation of the PDP presidential candidate include former Senate President and Special Envoy to the presidential candidate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State governor and Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign council, Aminu Tambuwal; former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu.

See pictures below:

The Star