By Levinus Nwabughiogu

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on African leaders to form a strong united front to defeat terrorism and violent extremism, saying that the vices were frustrating development in Africa.

The president made the call on a day the Kenyan government solicited Nigeria’s support in its quest to produce the next chairperson of the African Union Commission AUC.

Receiving Kenya’s Deputy President and a special envoy to President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto at the State House on Friday, Buhari expressed concern that the continent was still grappling with acts and effects of terrorism after a successful de-colonisation campaign.

Buhari who acknowledged the valued cooperation between Nigeria and Kenya in the fight against terrorism also commended the country for the recent successes recorded in tackling terrorism in the region.

“A situation in which insecurity continues to obstruct the process of national development should not be allowed to continue”, Buhari said.

On the forthcoming election of a new leadership for the African Union Commission (AUC), President Buhari said African States needed a very strong leadership at the AUC that would encourage member states to refocus their resources and energy toward human and national development.

Speaking on Kenya’s request for Nigeria’s support for the candidature of Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Kenya’s Foreign Minister, who was vying for the AUC Chairperson, Buhari said “Nigeria will hold robust consultations with other African leaders on the need for strong and capable leadership that will respond to the current challenges facing the continent.”

In his remarks, Deputy President Ruto commended President Buhari for his leadership, particularly on regional security and the fight against corruption.

Ruto said President Buhari’s effort to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism had emboldened the continent’s resolve to achieve lasting peace and security.