African Parliament to attend Jonathan’s inauguration

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Saturday, May 21st, 2011

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) will be represented at the May 29 inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, its President, Dr Idriss Ndele, said in Johannesburg on Friday.

Ndele said Nigeria was playing a very important role in the continent and occupied a vital position in the AU.

“We are going to represent PAP just like other AU organs. The organisation has always maintained a close relationship with Nigeria.

“We will be very pleased to join our brothers and sisters in the inauguration,” Ndele said.

The PAP president also said plans to make PAP have full legislative powers was on course.

Ndele had during the 4th Ordinary session of PAP, which ended on Friday, expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the elections in Nigeria and some other African countries.

He said Nigeria and eight other African countries, which had been able to hold credible elections, gave hope to the continent.

“The good conduct of these elections gives us hope for a systematic evolution of our states toward the democratic models that we wish for,” Ndele said.

Ndele congratulated all elected and re-elected Heads of State in the continent while also lauding the electorates for their political maturity.

He also said PAP was encouraging African states to adopt the African charter on democracy, elections and governance.

The PAP president stated that free and fair elections were the norms now in the continent, adding that there would no longer be room for life presidents or family monopoly of power with the charter..

“Africa needs change and if you want change, you must go through free and fair elections,” he said. (NAN)

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