Presidential Research & Communications Unit

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has assured total commitment to the rule of law as he intends to support any move for an independent and strong judiciary.

Speaking in the state house, May 29, with Baroness Jan Royall, British Government Whip in charge of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, after being sworn in as President and C-in-C of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Yar’adua said he would not interfere in any judgement, as “the judiciary must be the pillar of our democracy and a reference point to ensure the rule of law in our society”.

President Yar’Adua while decrying the situation in the Niger Delta, described the area as “strategic” to the welfare of Nigeria, and said his government will look at the Master Plan produced by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in consultation with all the stakeholders, and produce a blueprint in three months.

Earlier, Baroness Royall had congratulated the President on his inauguration, and said Britain was glad that he had already spoken about addressing the Niger Delta problems as a matter of priority and the concerns arising from the elections.

He said Nigeria looked forward to support and cooperation from the United Kingdom.

President Yar’Adua also received the American Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ms Jendayi Fraser, Mr. Xu Jialu, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Peoples’ Congress, Mr. Mehdi Ahari Mostafari, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Mr. Abdelkader Bensalah, president of the Algerian Senate, and Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President of the World Bank in charge of Africa.

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