Adesina did this while providing the itinerary of the President’s 4-day US trip.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Presidential spokesperson stated emphatically that Buhari’s talks with Obama would only focus on security, trade and economic ties.
Adesina’s statement completely ignored the statement made by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, where she stated clearly, that talks between both Presidents would include a proposal for the reversal of the Nigerian law on same-sex marriages.
On Monday, the Nigerian Pilot quoted Thomas-Greenfield as saying “As a policy, we will continue to press the government of Nigeria, as well as other governments which have provided legislation that discriminates against the LGBT community.
“This is very much a work in progress, but I think you will agree with me that the law in Nigeria really went far in discriminating against this community, but also people who associate with them.
“So we will continue to press the government, to press the legislature to change these laws and provide human rights for all Nigerian people, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
She went on to state that “With what is happening in the US, you can determine how far we are willing to go.”
In conclusion, she said “So we are prepared to push this as a policy, not just in Africa but across the world.”
In diplomatic dealings worldwide, whenever an envoy of a country makes public utterances about another country, at the time of response, the country never misses the chance to respond to such utterances, for the fear of building up ambiguity.
However, what the President’s mouthpiece must have seen as slick manoeuvring, has indeed sparked an angry conversation across the nation.
Obviously dodging the question of repealing the same-sex law is now viewed as cowardice from the Presidency.
Nigerians are of the opinion that Buhari not making his stand on the issue clearly known, and not responding to the statement made by a top ranking representative of the US government, has prepared himself to listen to whatever America proposes to him.
America has made considerable progress in the last 6months with respect to legalizing same-sex marriage home and abroad.
Adesina hinted that Buhari is expected to depart Abuja on Sunday to Washington DC alongside top APC chieftains, APC Governors, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the Central Bank Governor to hold high-level talks with Obama and other top United States officials.
According to Adesina, “Topmost on the agenda of President Buhari’s talks with President Obama and United States Government officials will be measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West-Africa.
“President Buhari will arrive on Sunday and would meet with President Obama at the White House on Monday, July 20.
“Buhari will later hold further discussions with the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of Defence, Robert Work on military and defence cooperation.
“The President will also meet with Vice President Joe Biden and confer with the US Attorney-General, Loretta Lynch, the US Secretary of Treasury, Jack Lew, the US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and the US Trade representative, Michael Froman on United States support for his administration’s war against corruption as well as fresh measures to boost Nigeria-United States trade relations.
“The President, who will be received by the United States Secretary of State at the State Department in Washington DC, will later hold meetings with the United States Senate and Congressional Committees on Foreign Relations, as well as the Black Caucus of the United States House of Representatives.
“Before leaving Washington DC, President Buhari will address the United States Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa.
“The President, who will be accompanied by the Governors of Imo, Nasarawa, Edo, Borno and Oyo States as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment, will also host an interactive session with Nigerians in the American Diaspora.
“The US trip will also afford President Buhari the opportunity of a reunion with members of the American War College Class of 1980 in which he was a distinguished participant.
“He is due back in Abuja on Thursday, July 23.”
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