A former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has assured the European community of his desire to restore Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security and development.
Speaking today (Thursday) in Abuja while meeting with the 19 Ambassadors of the European countries and the Ambassador of the EU Mission in Nigeria, the former V.P said under his watch as President, regional security and collaboration will be strengthened.
Atiku, who berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he termed “anti-people policies”, condemned the locking up of the country’s borders to neighboring states, saying it eroded the gains of the foreign policy that was pursued by the previous PDP administrations.
He said the crisis points in the sub region cannot be addressed in isolation, are similar and largely fuelled by lack of development and will require him working with all the countries to bring peace back to the region.
While sharing his vision for a greater Nigeria, he recalled the enviable role that Nigeria played during the Olusegun Obasanjo led administration and preceding administrations that saw the country providing support and leading the initiatives to restore peace and stability in the region.
He called on Nigeria and the EU to develop strong partnerships in strengthening democracy and mutual benefit of both economies.