By Ben Agande, Abuja.

The United States Secretary of State,  John Kerry, Sunday, met with President Jonathan to convey the US government concern about the threat of violence during the forthcoming elections.

The meeting which held at the President’s  official residence in Marina had in attendance the Minister of Defence General Aliyu Gusau, Supervising Minister of Information Nurudeen Mohammed, the National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said President Jonathan assured the visiting US official of his determination to conduct a credible, free and fair election.

The statement reads in part: “We had a candid and constructive discussion about a broad range of issues. Nigeria is a vibrant democracy and the largest trading partner of the United States in Africa, with more than $18 billion in bilateral trade.  Our countries and peoples share a mutual admiration for each other and a deep commitment to freedom, democracy, and human rights.

“This is why we are together engaged in a struggle against a common enemy that promotes terror, fear, division, and violates human rights, most especially of women and girls, with complete impunity. Winning the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria and West Africa is absolutely essential to beat back the tide of religious extremism around the world.

President Jonathan explained “Our security forces have been working tirelessly and courageously to achieve this goal.  I reaffirmed for Secretary Kerry that Nigeria is strongly committed to building the multinational task force to fight Boko Haram in partnership with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.  Indeed, I called publicly for such a regional approach at the African leaders summit in Paris in May 2014 and more recently in multilateral meetings.

“We are pleased that the international community is now strongly united behind this initiative and agree that its success is critical. It is equally important that the multinational force receives the significant support that is required to address the threat through our global partners.