PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Monday tasked members of the legislative arm of government within the African continent not to do anything that could lead to the collapse of democracy.
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President Jonathan who gave the warning in Abuja while declaring open the 1st Africa Legislative Summit 2013 organised by the National assembly in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative Studies, with the theme, "Emerging Legislatures in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities" also said that despite the progress made in the continent, there were still threats to democracy in some countries.
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He said, "In spite of the progress we have made so far, we are still experiencing threats to democracy in some African countries, we should do everything possible to resolve the challenges to discourage a revert to military rule in the affected countries.
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"Parliament should legislate against issues and actions that could lead to the collapse of the current democratic arrangements in African countries."
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The President said that the summit which would give room for peer review among member countries was a laudable effort that would give Africa a new vision and new initiative that would lead to rapid development.
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According to him, "It is coming at a critical period when the African nation is in search of a means of strengthening the various democratic institutions to pave the way for enduring democratic structures.
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There is the need for strategy for networking and capacity building. The legislature has a critical role to play in lawmaking, oversight function to consolidate democratic practice and norms."
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He commended the Nigeria parliament for extending legislative activities and cooperation beyond the shores of the country, stressing that it was a platform for fostering legislative and executive cooperation to engender development.