Accra (Greater Accra) 16 June '99

Parliament on Tuesday congratulated General Olusegun Obasanjo on his inauguration as Nigeria's 12th Head of State and third constitutionally elected leader.

Gen Obasanjo, in 1979 made history as the second African Military Leader after the late General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa, to hand over power to a civilian regime.

In a statement to Parliament, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, NPP-New Juaben North, said Gen Obasanjo's return to power through the ballot box is an eloquent testimony to the trust and confidence Nigerians have in him.

It also shows their appreciation of the very good work he did while in office between 1976 and 1979.

The MP indicated that President Obasanjo has assumed office at a very critical period in Nigeria's history with challenges that are truly enormous.

"For the majority of Nigerians, 38 years of independence out of which 29 years have been under military rule, virtually brought Africa's most populous nation to its knees."

Mr Owusu-Agyeman, who is also the Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, noted with dismay that the unity of Nigeria at a point seemed to be under threat as intolerance, inordinate ambition and high level corruption held sway.

He expressed the hope that the inauguration of Gen Obasanjo on Saturday, May 29, would address these and other problems that plague the Nigerian society.

The Minority Spokesman said President Obasanjo deserves the support of the International Community, especially, "we in the sub-region bound together by ECOWAS, as he embarks on the path of national reconciliation, regeneration and reconstruction.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman says as he leads Nigeria on the path of democracy, President Obasanjo should be inspired not only by the massive vote of confidence given him by Nigerians, but "by the prayers of all those of us in the sub-region, Africa and indeed the whole of mankind".

Concluding, the Minority Spokesman said, "we in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) particularly, are most happy that the story of President Obasanjo is yet another vindication of our long cherished ideal of multi-party governance in a liberal democratic environment with the ballot box as the centrepiece".

Nana Akufo Addo, NPP-Abuakwaa, urged African leaders to realise that the democratic system of government is the most ideal one for the continent.

African leaders, he said, should, therefore, take a cue from the Nigerian experience, because authoritarian rulers have woefully failed the continent.

Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, NPP-Yendi commended President Obasanjo for his role in international politics, which, he said, has contributed in no small measure to ensuring peace and stability in most parts of the world.

Mrs. Grace Coleman hoped that with the return to the track of democracy, Nigeria would continue to lead the continent onto the path of democratic rule.

Mr Gabriel Yaw Amoah urged African leaders to emulate President Obasanjo in his initiative at waging war against corruption and strive to uproot this social canker from the society.

Winding up, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker, who was in the chair, extended Parliament's sincerest wishes to President Obasanjo and the entire people of Nigeria.