Tinubu to US Congressional Team: We're Committed to Deepening Democracy through Adherence to Rule of Law
Says he's ready to change narratives of Nigeria's past leadership crisis
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President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration was committed to deepening democracy by ensuring adherence to the rule of law and expediting the sustainable provision of good governance, justice and fairness to all Nigerian citizens.
Speaking yesterday, while playing host to a delegation from the United States Congress led by Senator Cory Booker at the State House in Abuja, the President said while democracy must be defended, it must translate into tangibles of quality healthcare, good education, food security, shelter, and overall economic prosperity for the people of Nigeria.
He said Nigeria remains a necessary partner for the sustenance of democracy in Africa and beyond, noting that as the continent's biggest economy and largest democracy, Nigeria was well-positioned to set the best continental example by delivering good governance to its people.
Tinubu, explained that the nation had in the past suffered leadership crisis pledging to change the narratives for the better.
His words: "Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, had suffered leadership elephantiasis years back. I am determined to change that. Adhering to the principles of democracy and the rule of law is very important to us.
“I wonder how democracy will survive if we do not fight for it. I fought for this democracy. I risked my life for it. Military truncation of democracy is unacceptable. The power of our citizens is and must remain supreme."
Emphasising the need for the United States to evolve a more prudent and pragmatic partnership with Africa, the President told the U.S. Congressional delegation that the United States should consider upscaling critical development programmes to strengthen ties with the continent.
According to him: "It is important for our partners to help strengthen democracy in Africa. Our developmental programmes need serious capital. We are not asking for freebies. All we are asking for is understanding. After the Second World War, Europe was impacted. America developed and executed the Marshall Plan to pull them back up. Today, Europe is standing firm and tall as a result. What about a Marshall plan for Africa?
"How can we be categorised and thrown into IMF's basket of trickle-down slices? We are blessed in Africa, but these are the same resources causing conflicts because of exploitation and a lack of alignment. The presence of the resources does not reflect in the living conditions of the people. We must not use yesterday's methods to address today's challenges. Nobody wants to risk their life to run away from Africa.
"America needs to look at the situation in Africa critically. What is happening in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger emanates from a helpless feeling people have that they are not being helped economically. They find that their former colonial masters are not letting go and are still seeking to exploit them. We have mineral resources.
"What technology can you bring to help turn that into economic prosperity? Can you put de-risking finance in place to incentivise John Deere to assist us in massively mechanising our food production processes?
“There is so much we can do in the advancement of education. See Africa as a necessary partner for the sustenance of democracy.
"We are capable and willing to lift our own people out of poverty," Tinubu affirmed.
Earlier in his speech, Senator Booker described Tinubu as a visionary leader who took tough but necessary decisions for the good of Nigerians.
"You are a leader of particular character. You have the courage to do very difficult things, right at the beginning of your term. Something that many American leaders should look to; someone who believes so much in their people that they can make difficult decisions and know that their country is resilient and strong to endure so that it can emerge stronger on the other side," he said.
The U.S. Senator noted that
Nigeria and the United States are partners bound by shared values of democracy, rule of law, and commitment to peace and good governance.
"I share my enthusiasm about deepening partnership between Nigeria and the United States. We know in America that there is no greater or more important partner for the United States on the African continent than its biggest country, its biggest democracy, and its biggest economy.