John Kerry to visit Nigeria ahead of elections

Secretary of State John Kerry will said Friday he plans to visit Nigeria “in a couple of days” ahead of the nation’s upcoming elections. 

Mr. Kerry made the announcement in Davos where he  gave an address to global business and political leaders on countering
violent extremism, Reuters reported

Deputy department spokeswoman Marie Harf announced Mr. Kerry would be traveling to the Nigerian capitol of Lagos on Sunday to “emphasize importance of upcoming elections being peaceful, non-violent, and credible.”

Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan faces strong competition from opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, a former military general who briefly governed the country from 1983 to 1985 after staging a military coup.

Mr. Kerry will meet with both candidates during his visit.