Chatam House confirms Buhari’s speaking engagement on Thursday

The Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA) better known as Chatam

House has confirmed that presidential candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari will be speaking at its event
billed for Thursday, February 26, 2015 in London.

A post on the website of Chatam on Monday disclosed that General Buhari
who is on a working visit to the United Kingdom will be speaking on the
topic “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s
Transition.”

But Pointblanknews.com gathered that while Chatam House had no prior
engagement for the APC Presidential Candidate, the event was hurriedly
packaged and listed only this afternoon.

The programme to be chaired by Sir Richard Gozney, former British High
Commissioner to Nigeria will commence at 10am London time and last for
just one hour.

“The postponement of Nigeria’s fifth election since its return to civilian
rule in 1999, together with fierce political competition, a security
crisis and severe economic challenges linked to the drop in oil price,
have thrown into sharp relief the challenges of conducting this essential
process in such a complex environment. While there is widespread
speculation as to the reasons for the delay, there is also widespread
acknowledgment of the necessity that national elections do now take place
as scheduled on 28 March,” Chatam House said in its website while
announcing the programme on Monday.

According to Chatam House, “General Muhammadu Buhari, former military
ruler (1983-85) and now opposition presidential candidate, will discuss
the importance of democracy for Africa’s future, and in particular why
delivering dividends of elected government matter both to Nigeria and
internationally.”

There will be a live streaming of the event commencing at 10am GMT and all
those wishing to pose a question to General Buhari are advised to do so
via Twitter using the hash tag #CHAfrica.

All prospective attendees are encouraged to apply to attend on or before
midnight of Tuesday, 24 February.

General Buhari had left Nigeria last week for United Kingdom as part of
the international engagements of his presidential campaign.

The APC presidential candidate for the 28 March election has among other
schedules met with Mr Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister.