May 29, 2015 - Abuja, Nigeria - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement after attending the inauguration of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari:
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his swearing-in as president of Nigeria on the country’s Democracy Day. The presidential, legislative and state elections in March and April demonstrate the growing strength of democracy in Nigeria.
“Canada has a warm and long-standing friendship with Nigeria that is based on a shared commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
“This inauguration marks the first peaceful transfer of power to an opposition party in Nigeria’s democratic history and serves as a model for other countries in Africa, where an uncontested change of leadership from a defeated government to an elected opposition warrants a celebration.”
While in Nigeria, Parliamentary Secretary Obhrai will discuss regional issues, including the situations in Burundi and South Sudan, with African leaders.
Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
johanna.quinney@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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