Jonathan, Mark counsel African parliamentarians at summit

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Monday in Abuja that to institutionalise political stability in Africa, democracy must evolve within the context of the continent’s history.

Jonathan made the observation while declaring open the First African Legislative Summit organised by the National Assembly at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The three-day summit is being attended by parliamentarians from African countries, Europe and Canada.

The Summit with the theme “Emerging Legislatures in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”, is also being attended by the Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Boikai and former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae.

Jonathan noted that while Africa had gradually moved on from the era of one-party state and authoritarian military regimes, democratic evolution must reflect the past experiences and history.

“State formation in the western world did not follow the same pattern as we are in Africa. Africa was in its own process of state formation built along historical, cultural, political, economic and military context when the twin-scourge of slave trade and colonialism disrupted the emerging pattern in our development.

“We experienced the misfortune of being treated purely as factory for slaves and raw materials and for the convenience of the colonial power.The building blocks of state formation were turned and juggled up, leading to a further fragmentation of our society.

“Even though we have gone through different stages of self-governance and political independence, most African countries are still struggling to achieve true nationhood,’’ he said

Nigeria’s Senate President, David Mark,in a speech also challenged African parliamentarians on the need to live up to the challenge of ensuring transformation in the polity and the society.

The senate president said there was a need for parliamentarians to be in the forefront of ensuring that citizens of their various countries were given a meaningful life.

“As legislators, we must face up to the challenge of transforming our polity and society. Currently, the greatest challenge in most African countries appears to be that of nation-building and national unity.

“We must through our legislative power aim to build truly multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation states,’’ he said.

According to him, we must aim to reduce poverty, ignorance, disease, unemployment, strife and conflict, amongst others to the barest minimum.

“As parliamentarians and the true custodians of democracy, it is our duty to ensure through our constitutional roles, in particular on budgeting and oversight functions.

The people must obtain the maximum derivable benefits from government. This is not a simple task but it is an attainable one,’’ the senate president said.