- promises to restore Nigeria’s preeminent role in West African sub-region
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to place Africa at the centre of the foreign policy of his administration if elected.
He said he will be committed to restoring Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security and development.
The former Vice President, on Thursday, in Abuja, gave the assurance at a meeting with the 19 Ambassadors of the European countries and the Ambassador of the EU Mission in Nigeria.
Atiku led a delegation of the PDP chieftains that included the Governor of Delta State and the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Criticizing the foreign policy thrust of the President Muhammad Buhari – led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the past seven years, he bemoaned the locking up of the borders, saying it has eroded the gains of the foreign policy that was pursued by the previous PDP administrations.
Read Also: Abandoned by stakeholders, Tinubu seeks support outside APC
The PDP flag bearer promised that under his watch as president, regional security and collaboration will be strengthened while stressing that his cardinal foreign policy is a cordial relationship with all countries and blocs with West Africa and Africa being the centre of his foreign policy.
Atiku said that the crisis points in the sub-region cannot be addressed in isolation, adding that they are similar and largely fuelled by lack of development and will require him to work with all the countries to bring peace back to the region.
He recalled the enviable role that Nigeria played during the Obasanjo and preceding administrations that saw the country providing support and leading the initiatives to restore peace and stability in the region.
The Waziri Adamawa desires that Nigeria and the EU develop a strong partnership in strengthening democracy and the mutual benefit of both economies.
He used the opportunity of the meeting to share his vision of a greater Nigeria and gave the diplomats an insight into his socio-economic and political agenda for Nigeria.
On its part, the EU assured of its technical support to Nigeria, especially to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the observation and monitoring of the 2023 general elections.
Click on The Trumpet and follow us on our Twitter page for more:
