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| President Jonathan and wife received the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and wife in Abuja yesterday |
Eighteen Nigerians have a date with the executioner tomorrow [Feb. 4] in the Asian state of Indonesia, except President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is currently on a visit to Nigeria, intervenes.
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday [Feb. 2] pleaded with his Indonesian counterpart to stop the execution of the Nigerians who were convicted for drug-related offences.
He was yet to give any commitment before the two leaders went for a state dinner last night in Abuja.
Apart from the 18, thirty other Nigerians are on the death row in that country for drug trafficking.
Jonathan, who made the plea during a bilateral discussion with the Indonesian President in Abuja, demanded a bilateral tie on exchange of prisoners by both countries.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a tweet last night said his principal was concerned about the planned execution.
A source said:
The Indonesian leader has not made any commitment on Jonathan's plea because of his country's strict laws on drug trafficking.
We are hopeful that the execution will not hold on Monday. We do not know if there will be any waiver eventually.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the visiting President was accompanied by 99 Indonesian businessmen. On arrival, Yudhoyono inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards, and also a 21 gun-salute in his honour.
The FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, said that the two-day visit of the Indonesian President would strengthen the bilateral relations existing between the two countries.
After their bilateral discussions, President Jonathan pointed out the importance of the conference and the visit, stressing that it has become evident that most countries might not be able to meet up with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
