Tinubu Hosts US Congressional Delegation, Stresses Commitment To Enhancing Democracy

President Bola Tinubu underlined his administration's commitment to enhancing democracy during a meeting with a delegation from the United States Congress, led by Senator Cory Booker, at the State House in Abuja.

The president emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, highlighting the need for tangible outcomes in the form of quality healthcare, education, food security, shelter and economic prosperity for all Nigerians.

"Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, had suffered leadership elephantiasis years back. I am determined to change that. Adhering to the principles of democracy and the rule of law is very important to us," Tinubu said, as per the official statement.

"I wonder how democracy will survive if we do not fight for it. I fought for this democracy. I risked my life for it. Military truncation of democracy is unacceptable. The power of our citizens is and must remain supreme."

The president told the U.S. Congressional delegation that it was vital for Nigerian partners to help strengthen democracy in Africa, adding that developmental programs require serious capital. However, he pointed out that he was not asking for "freebies" but "understanding."

"After the Second World War, Europe was impacted. America developed and executed the Marshall Plan to pull them back up. Today, Europe is standing firm and tall as a result. What about a Marshall plan for Africa?" he said.

The U.S. Senator also spoke during the meeting and called Tinubu "a leader of particular character," adding that the Nigerian leader dares to do difficult things, right at the beginning of his presidential term, which started last year in May.

"Something that many American leaders should look to; someone who believes so much in their people that they can make difficult decisions and know that their country is resilient and strong to endure so that it can emerge stronger on the other side," Senator Booker said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, highlighted the U.S. House of Representatives' resolution aiming to label Nigeria as a country of concern due to allegations of religious intolerance.

"Appeal to them (the House), Nigeria has a constitution that pays critical attention to the rights of all citizens. There is no government that will support anything inimical to the provisions of the constitution," Tuggar said.

In response, U.S. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs stated that there was a widespread consensus within the U.S. House of Representatives and the White House against relisting Nigeria on the list of countries of concern.