[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, it is not often at this particularly 
troubled era in world affairs that we can take time to celebrate a 
major advance in freedom and democracy. However, on May 29th we may do 
just that, as Nigeria, the most populous state and largest economy in 
Africa, moves firmly back into the camp of democratic nations. On May 
29th, President Olusegun Obasanjo will become President of Nigeria, 
having won a decisive victory in democratic elections in February. 
President Obasanjo assumes the leadership of more than 120 million 
Nigerians, and he will be assisted in this task by a democratically 
elected bicameral Assembly, elected state assemblies and elected state 
governors, in a political system which now mirrors the United States' 
own democratic process.
  The new government in Abuja is determined to develop Nigeria as a 
democracy and a friend of the West. During his transition period, 
President Obasanjo visited many world capitals, including Washington, 
to begin the process of binding Nigeria into the global diplomatic 
framework. No other African state has introduced a new government with 
greater care and preparation, and President Obasanjo has been careful 
to learn the attitudes of the world's major trading states and to brief 
them in return on Nigeria's great challenge of rebuilding its economy 
and its state.
  President Obasanjo comes to this position with a strong electoral 
mandate, and with many decades of experience as a statesman, diplomat, 
soldier and farmer. He was heavily involved in helping to negotiate the 
transition from apartheid to democratic government in South Africa some 
years ago. He was a political prisoner under the military government of 
General Sani Abacha, who died last year, paving the way for the 
restoration of Nigerian democracy. President Obasanjo is therefore 
highly conscious of Nigeria's need to play a leading role in African 
and international peacekeeping and diplomacy, and is, of course, 
thoroughly familiar with Nigeria's historic commitment to UN and OAU 
peacekeeping efforts. Furthermore, Nigeria is once again poised to 
become a major force for peace and stability in Africa.
  The US is going to benefit from a democratic and prosperous Nigeria. 
After all, Nigeria is the largest single supplier of foreign oil to the 
United States, and is, as a result, integrally linked into our economy. 
It is potentially a large export customer for the US, as well. 
Therefore, I believe the United States should cooperate with Nigeria to 
the fullest extent possible in order to ensure that its democratic, 
economic and governmental structures flourish to the fullest degree 
possible.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to send our congratulations today to President 
Obasanjo, and all of the officials elected to the two houses of 
Nigeria's Federal Assembly, and to the newly elected State Assemblymen, 
and State Governors, and to the elected municipal officials. This is a 
great watershed for Nigeria, a great day for Africa, and a great 
opportunity for us to participate in helping to make Africa a vibrant, 
democratic and self-sustaining continent and a healthy part of the 
world trading system.

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