The leadership of the Senate has called on the government and people of Liberia to work collectively towards the success and credibility of the next general election in their country.
The Senate spoke through the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu when he received a delegation of the Liberian National Legislature on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, in Abuja, today.
He said Nigeria was happy to see democracy take root in Liberia, adding that Nigeria and the entire African continent were eager to see successful elections in Liberia, which, according to him, would further cement the democratic credentials of the West African sub-region.
Senator Ekweremadu, who also doubles as the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, in a statement by Mr Uche Anichukwu, Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy Senate President, told the delegation on a courtesy call to the National Assembly that democracy and good governance remained the only viable options towards the peace and speedy development of the sub-region.
He said: “Liberia in particular is one of the success stories of our capacity as a sub-region to enthrone peace and democratic governance. Your country successfully emerged from the inferno of war and instability to stand as reference point in collective sacrifice of the peoples of the West and our collective determination to ensure that peace and democracy reign supreme in the sub-region.
“As you prepare for the next elections, therefore, the government and people of Liberia owe it to the entire peoples of West Africa to sustain the democratic order through free, fair, and indeed credible polls”.
Senator Ekweremadu added that both Nigeria and Liberia could gain more and strengthen their ties through parliamentary diplomacy.
He implored the West African nation to continue to create a conducive economic atmosphere for Nigerian entrepreneurs and businesses engaged in various sectors of the Liberian economy.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Armah Zolu Jallah expressed gratitude to Nigeria for standing by Liberia throughout her turbulent period since the 1990s and during the recent Ebola crisis.
He assured that the National Legislature of Liberia would take all the necessary legislative steps to promote credible elections in the West African nation.
