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| Aso Rock shivers as US Economic 'Hitmen' arrive Nigeria to caution East-leaning Buhari |
Economic hitmen are delegates sent by the United States to errant countries. In his 2004 Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a partly autobiographical book, John Perkins provides account of his career with engineering consulting firm Chas. T. Main in Boston. According to Perkins, his role at Main was to convince leaders of underdeveloped countries to accept substantial development loans for large construction and engineering projects while making sure that these projects were contracted to U.S. companies. Essentially, an apparent benign delegation is sent to have an intimate conversation with a government that jeopardize the interest of United States. These hitmen caution the government of the consequences of their actions. However, in the open they make some innocuous press statement regarding the purpose of their visit, meanwhile the real message has been delivered.
It is therefore not surprising that barely a week after General Muhammadu Buhari went to China to sign up some deals, the U.S. President, Barack Obama sent a 42-member high-powered delegation to Nigeria. The team is said to have sent in support of the three priority areas of Buhari’s junta. Buhari has jettisoned western countries that railroaded him into power, turning towards eastern countries such as China and Arab countries. This is apparently irking the United States.
Aso Rock is already shivering. Buhari today denied signing any currency deal with China as well as denying signing a loan deal during his recent visit.
Aso Rock is already shivering. Buhari today denied signing any currency deal with China as well as denying signing a loan deal during his recent visit.
Leader of the delegation Ms Samantha Power said on Thursday in Abuja that the three areas security, economy and governance remain the focus of the delegation’s visit to Nigeria.
The head of the delegation at a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that Nigeria remains a strategic partner to the U.S. not only in Africa but globally.
“As you (Onyeama) indicated, Obama has sent me and members of his cabinet to lead an inter-agency delegation to Nigeria,” she said.
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| The head of the delegation Samantha Power held a joint press conference with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, |
Power, who is U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, said the delegation would reflect on the three pillars of the present administration which are security, economy and governance.
She explained that the partnership is so much bigger and would bear fruits to include other aspects of our partnership.
“It will include dealing with Boko Haram, trade, economic development, the strengthening of institutions and the fight that you the country is waging against corruption.
“All of these are intrinsically central for the people of Nigeria who want to live in a secured environment and dignity and have maximum opportunity”.
According to her, all the other aspects that the visit will cover include focus on critical areas for dealing with the emergency situation, caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.
She also said that the Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission meeting, which held in Washington in March, had started yielding fruitful results.
“It’s been a very fruitful dialogue and I think there is a lot of homework that has come out of it.
“And there are a number of issues which I look forward to discussing with you; that’s how we move forward in stronger ways,” she said.
Power also commended Nigeria’s contributions to regional and global peace especially in its effort at the UN Security Council.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving in 2014-2014 with Nigeria on the UN Security Council when you held one of the non-Permanent seats.
“I can tell you how important our relationship was on the Security Council, how much constructive work we did together. You had a tremendous team in New York and I continue to work with them every day.
“When U.S. and Nigeria stand together, whether it’s here or in an organisation like the UN, as I said earlier, the sky is the limit,” she said.
Among the 42-member delegation currently in Nigeria include Obama’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and the Deputy Commander of the U.S. African Command (AFRICOM).
Samantha Power in November last year called out Buhari for voting against a UN Resolution for the protection of Human Rights Defenders. Visibly shocked Powers tweeted: “Terrible! Nations voting against UN resolution supporting and protecting people who bravely promote and defend human rights.”
Dr Oby Ezekwesili responded to the tweet: "Oby Ezekwesili @obyezeks
It is BEYOND TERRIBLE, dearest friend especially seeing our beleaguered country, Nigeria on this odious list. WE STAND! | @AmbassadorPower"
Other countries that voted against the resolution include those with some of the most oppressive regimes in the world like North Korea, Syria, China, Burma, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran.
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| Buhari DISAPPOINTS Western backers as Nigeria votes along with North Korea and Iran AGAINST UN Resolution To Protect Human Rights Defenders |
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