President Obama welcomed Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to the White House on Monday, and praised his country for undergoing a peaceful transition of power.
"Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in the world and one of the most important countries in the African continent," Obama told reporters, with Buhari and top administration officials gathered together in the Oval Office.
"Recently we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place, and it was an affirmation of Nigeria's commitment to democracy, a recognition that although Nigeria is a big country and a diverse country with many different parts, nevertheless the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process can change take place."
Buhari, who said he was "extremely grateful" for the invitation, noted the "positive trends" of elections in his country and credited "pressure from the United States and Europe to make sure elections were free and credible" for leading them to where they are now.
Vice President Biden, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Secretary of State John F. Kerry all joined Buhari and Obama in the Oval Office Monday morning.
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