Senate President Assures Visiting E.U Ambassador That Nigeria Will Come Out Strong Despite Challenges.

 

 President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has expressed optimism that in spite of the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections Nigeria will come out stronger and more united as a nation.

 In a statement signed by his Media Adviser Paul Mumeh,Senator Mark told the visiting European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria Michel Arrion in Abuja today that government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.

 The Senate President stressed:" Our political situation is steadily progressing . All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes. Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.

 "Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices. It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically."

 He however appealed to international election observers to the 2015 polls to report facts about the exercise without sentiment or narrow perspective saying " election observers should be able to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units."

 Senator Mark pleaded with the EU to assist Nigeria tackle the unabating security challenges pointing out that terrorism is no longer an internal affairs of a nation but already assuming international dimension.

 He said the nation is doing her best including negotiation to bring the matter to an end as quickly as possible.

 Senator Mark assured his guest that government was doing all that is needed to create a conducive atmosphere that would attract local and foreign investors as part of moves to diversify the economy.

 According to Mark " Nigeria is now investors friendly. It is now investors destination."

 Earlier, the EU ambassador to Nigeria, Arrion, said the visit was necessitated by the need to interact with political leaders in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the political situation ahead of the 2015 polls.

Arrion assured that the EU is prepared to assist Nigeria in the processes for the conduct of the 2015 polls pointing out that it is already liaising with the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) for possible assistance and collaboration.