PRESS CONFERENCE BY HEAD OF STATE OF NIGERIA

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY HEAD OF STATE OF NIGERIA

The most important of Nigeria's objectives was the design and implementation of a transparent and all-inclusive return to civil rule, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Head of State of Nigeria, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

General Abubakar said that Nigeria's goal was to a return to a democratically-elected civilian government on 29 May 1999. It had inaugurated an independent electoral commission in August, and there were no restrictions on the formation of political parties. Local elections would begin in December 1998, and presidential elections were scheduled for 27 February 1999. Every stage of the elections might be freely observed by international monitors from the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other interested bodies, to ensure the credibility and integrity of the election process. Adding that the draft constitution had been published and widely circulated, he said all public comments and views would be considered before it was enacted.

The major thrust of Nigeria's economic programme was to liberalize the Nigerian economy to benefit from the globalization of the world and attract foreign investors, he continued. It would repeal the laws inhibiting competition in every economic sector. Before the end of the year, the Government would install a transparent regulatory framework for competition with no discrimination in any sector of the economy. The framework of the privatization and commercialization process would be transparent and based on competitive bidding and management control of major public enterprises. The approach was to partially privatize the major public enterprises whose performances had had a negative impact on the well-being and economic growth of the nation.

He invited the international community and Nigerians living abroad to participate in the programme. He also invited international investment and commercial banks, export credit agencies and management consultants to participate in the liberalization, deregulation and privatization of the Nigerian market. He requested creditors to take cognizance of Nigerian reforms, as well as the unique problems it faced, and to grant it debt relief.

In recent years, Nigeria had passed through a phase of political difficulties, which had tended to overshadow the important role it had played in the promotion of peace and security both within and outside the region, General Abubakar said. The task of nation building in an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation like Nigeria demanded courage, patience and commitment. Nigeria was made up of as many as 250 ethnic groups. To articulate the concerns, aspirations and interests of all represented a great challenge.

Matters of interest to Africa were a facet of Nigerian foreign policy, he said. Acting within the framework of the Economic Community of West

African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG), Nigeria had played a key role in the liberation struggle of South Africa, and in finding a solution to the political uncertainties which had engulfed some African countries. He asked the international community to take an active interest in rehabilitation and peace-building efforts in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Regarding human rights, he said his administration planned to move in the direction of full respect for fundamental human rights, good governance, accountability and the rule of law. Individual freedom and freedom of expression and association had greatly improved. He had invited Nigerians in self-exile to return and participate in the development of the country. He would conduct a census of Nigerian professionals and those with special talents, with a view to harnessing the country's human resources.

He said he had visited all the military formations in the country to reconfirm the commitment of the armed forces and the police to the democratization programme. He intended to maintain an open door to the media to reinforce the understanding of his programme.

Did he have in mind a solid plan, with regard to democracy, for leading Nigeria into the twenty-first century? a correspondent asked. Mr. Abubakar said that government and democracy was a continuous learning process. The world now opposed military regimes, and he was sure that was the case in his country. Civilians and soldiers in his country had learned their lesson and were making progress.

Recalling that Canada had been an outspoken critic of previous Nigerian regimes, a correspondent asked what role the General would like Canada to play now in Nigeria's transition process. The President said that a new understanding was being forged between Nigeria and all the countries that had played a role in her past. Canada, a strong member of the Commonwealth, shared common interests and goals with Nigeria. The two countries would play roles of mutual benefit.

How would he qualify his relationship with the United States? he was asked. He said that since independence, Nigeria's relationship with the United States had been mutually beneficial. The United States had assisted Nigeria economically and politically. That relationship had gone sour, but they now were forging a new era of understanding. They were looking into areas of cooperation.

Had the United States said precisely what they would like Nigeria to do to justify the removal of sanctions? another correspondent asked. The United States and others wanted to see Nigeria forge ahead with its democratization programme, General Abubakar said. They would come aboard to assist Nigeria in that process.

Nigeria Press Conference - 3 - 25 September 1998

Asked to comment about the charge that he had invited the Secretary- General to Nigeria to put pressure on the late Moshood Abiola to recant his mandate, General Abubakar said that, unfortunately, a section of the Nigerian press had been biased in its report of the Secretary-General's visit. The Secretary-General had been invited to come and see how he could broker peace. Certain media, without going into the facts, had maliciously said that the Government had given the Secretary-General an incorrect briefing. Nigeria appreciated what the Secretary-General had been doing not only in Nigeria, but in all areas of conflict. He was assisting Nigeria with specialists, logistics and training of electoral commission members.

Had General Abubakar received any confirmation from world leaders that they would back Africa in its call for debt reduction? a correspondent said. He said that they were all putting their heads together to see how they could reduce African debt.

Asked about remarks he had made regarding strengthening the General Assembly, General Abubakar said that for the last five years, there had been talk about reorganizing the Security Council. There were 53 African Member States, and their voices were not heard at all in the Council. Either Africa should be given two slots in the Council, or the Assembly, which was more democratic, should be strengthened.

Did Nigeria's privatization plans include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and did he anticipate offering oil development rights as an incentive to attract foreign investment? He said that privatization would include the NNPC, and the telecommunications, generation of power and the oil and gas sector. He was looking at giving incentives in those areas. The Government wanted to privatize at least 40 per cent of its equities.

Did his remarks signal an intention to seek a seat on the Security Council for Nigeria? the General was asked. He was also asked if efforts to track down corruption would be a permanent feature of the Government, and what had been recovered so far?

General Abubakar said that once the Africans had received two seats on the Council, they would discuss who would be the best candidates for those seats. Nigeria would have an interest in taking one of these seats, and deserved consideration. At home, Nigerians were trying to set up a system of economic reform and transparent government. Contracts were being opened to bidding systems that would not be reversible when the Government was handed over in May. They had recovered some assets and were working with friendly nations to recover as much as possible.

He was happy with the political and economic response he was getting at home, he said in response to a further question. He was enjoying the

Nigeria Press Conference - 4 - 25 September 1998

understanding and cooperation of all Nigerians. There were about 25 political groups that were seeking recognition.

A correspondent asked about the liquefied natural gas project involving a number of West African countries. He responded that the project needed a lot of funding, but would be very beneficial to Nigeria. His administration had released some money for the project to take off. Yesterday, he had spoken with potential investors and the project had been accepted by oil companies in the United States and Europe. The General then noted that he had invited the leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States to come to Nigeria for the swearing in of the elected President on 29 May.

What assurance could he give to foreign investors that he could carry out the programme of liberalizing the economy? a correspondent then asked. He said Nigerians had seen for themselves how Government-oriented enterprises did not yield good results. The energy sector was not performing as it should, and everyone yearned for change. He did not foresee any problem. He could not say what the new Government would do, but between now and the time when the administration was handed over, he was appealing to all his countrymen to play politics by the rules of the game. If anyone took the law into his own hands, he would face the music.

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