Babatunji Wusu –
Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Nigerian Senate, said that the nation is still educating itself on democratic principles.
During the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and his delegation’s courtesy visit to the Senate leadership at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday, Akpabio made a request of the British government to support the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
Akpabio highlighted the historical similarities between the two nations and conveyed Nigeria’s gratitude to the UK for its support in advancing democratic values throughout Africa.
Four police officers could be seen dragging Portable into a waiting car in the video that was retrieved.
The statement said: “Ours is a nascent democracy, we are still at a learning point. Even the advanced democracies are still grappling with some challenges.
“We are learning to run. And we can assure you that standing on the shoulders of a giant like the United Kingdom, we can only get better.
“The 10th Senate has a very robust legislative agenda that is people-centered. Whether it is in the area of the economy, whatever laws we will make must have the welfare of the people of Nigeria in mind. Whether it is in the area of infrastructure, it must be to the benefit of the people.
“We also believe strongly in collaboration. We must exchange ideas in the best practices of democracy. We must bring most of the anachronistic laws and acts of parliament in tandem with modern realities.”
To make sure that every vote counts, Akpabio told the group that the 10th Assembly would continue to modify the Electoral Act under his direction.
On his part, the British High Commissioner, Montgomery, expressed that he visited the Senate due to the enduring partnership between the British High Commission and the National Assembly. He also mentioned that they had previously backed several matters related to democratic principles in Nigeria.
“We came to share ideas with the Senate and to understand the vision and priorities of the 10th National Assembly. The UK and Nigeria have a longstanding relationship, and we have incredibly strong people-to-people links between our countries.
“We have very significant connections between our democracies and our democratic institutions. We have many Nigerians working in the UK and many of our people working here.
“We are bound together by families, friendships, business and people-to-people links. That is why the UK has a large diplomatic mission here,” he said.
