NIGERIA

Early day motion 1575, tabled 20 July 1998 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 18 members.

That this House believes that the recent deaths in Nigeria of Chief Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential elections, and of General Abacha, the former Head of State, whilst creating uncertainty and unrest, nevertheless herald an opportunity for a new direction for that country; believes that Her Majesty's Government should maximise the momentum for reform and progress towards just and sustainable democracy in Nigeria by initiating robust and constructive dialogue directly with the Nigerian authorities, and through the United Nations, the European Union and the Commonwealth, to encourage the new leadership of that most populous nation in Africa to appreciate the benefits that democracy and prudent economic management will bring; observes that the continuation of barriers to such dialogue serve neither the people of Nigeria nor Britain's foreign policy objectives; and invites the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to review all such barriers, whether imposed through visa regulations, airline contacts or commerce, with a view to them being removed over a timescale linked to the steady achievement of reform and full democracy in Nigeria.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Conservative 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, UUP 1.