According to Buhari, Queen Elizabeth stood for the unity of Nigeria throughout the war.
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the late Queen Elizabeth II backed Nigeria during the Biafran war.
The civil war, which was fought from 1967 to 1970, saw Biafran secessionists pitched against the Nigerian government.
Buhari said during a condolence visit on Saturday to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, in Abuja that Queen Elizabeth stood for the unity of Nigeria throughout the war.
Buhari said, “We have maintained very close ties with the monarchy. She was a very gracious and elegant queen. For the purposes of remembrance, the fact is that 90 per cent of Nigerians do not know any monarch in the UK other than the queen. We welcome the new king and we look forward to a strong working relationship with the UK.
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“They have been a very strong ally even in the midst of our difficult time during the Biafran war; they stood for the indivisibility of the Nigerian state, supported and ensured that we overcame that problem.
“We are partnering to deal with the insurgency so that it doesn’t overwhelm us. They have always stood as a very strong ally.”
The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government to the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Laing had said on Friday that a condolence book would be opened at the High Commission Office in the Central Business District area of Abuja from September 12 to 16 and on 19th from 11am to 3pm daily.
King Charles III was on Saturday afternoon proclaimed as the king. The event held at St. James’ Palace, which is the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom. The event was steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism.
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is scheduled for Monday, September 19. The event, which would hold in Westminster Abbey, is expected to be attended by world leaders.
