By Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin, Nigeria
The British High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright has declared that Britain is strongly in support of the cooperate existence and unity of Nigeria.
Paul Arkwright made his country’s stand known on Friday in Ilorin, the KWARA state capital when he paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the KWARA State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad.
The Envoy declared that UK has nothing to do with any agitations and acts to break up Nigeria adding that , “we strongly support the Federal Government and that is the position that the British Government had held consistently.
They High Commissioner also stated that Britain has absolutely no interest about agitation about breakup of Nigeria and anybody who claim the British Government is involved in any way is completely wrong.
Speaking on the issue of women in politics in Nigeria, the envoy told the speaker that their percentage is low and therefore urged him to do everything possible to encourage more women in politics and civil society as the British Government will welcome the development.
I am very keen to see the KWARA House of Assembly and members here and I feel strongly that sometimes in this country, democracy is for the delegates. It is great to see a house of assembly that is operating in the true spirit of democracy representing the people here ,he added.
Earlier, in his remarks the speaker, DR. Ali Ahmad described legislature as the center of democracy.
According to him, many houses of assembly are not functioning as expected due to the nation’s constitution as they have become another arm of the executive. However, he said in KWARA state, the executive and the legislature are working closely with the people.
Dr. ALI AHMAD said that though they all belong to the same party in the state house of assembly, they have course to amicably disagree with the executive and they too being mindful of the constitution defer to the wishes of the assembly because they represent the people.
